After Brutal Takeover Of Afghanistan, Taliban Asks Russia & Ukraine To 'Resolve Crisis Peacefully'

The Taliban called for discussions between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the protection of Afghans in Ukraine.

New Delhi: The Taliban have urged Russia and Ukraine to "resolve the crisis through peaceful means", months after their brutal take over of Afghanistan in August last year.

In a statement on the Taliban's official Twitter account -- Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the outfit expressed concern over the "real prospect of civilian fatalities," The Daily Mail reported.

The Taliban called for discussions between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the protection of Afghans in Ukraine.

Since their takeover of Afghanistan in August, the Taliban is yet to be recognised as Afghanistan's new government by any country.

On Friday morning, the foreign ministry issued a "Statement addressing the crisis in Ukraine", which was retweeted on Twitter by top Taliban leaders.

"The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine and expresses concern about real possibility of civilian casualties," the statement said.

"The Islamic Emirate calls for restraint by both parties. All sides need to desist from taking positions that could intensify violence," the statement further said.

Over 1,000 civilians were killed and over 2,000 injured when the Taliban launched their offensive to capture Afghanistan last year, The Daily Mail report said.

"The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, in line with its foreign policy of neutrality, calls on both sides of the conflict to resolve the crisis through dialogue and peaceful means. The Islamic Emirate also calls on parties to the conflict to pay attention to safeguarding the lives of Afghan students and migrants in Ukraine," the Taliban statement said.

After launching airstrikes on towns and military posts, Russia pushed its invasion of Ukraine to the outskirts of Kyiv on Friday.

Troops and tanks are advancing from three directions in an offensive that has the potential to rewrite the entire post-Cold War security system.

Explosions were reported in Kyiv before daybreak, and shooting was subsequently heard near the government sector, as Western officials planned an emergency summit.

Ukraine's Defence Ministry on Friday said more than 1,000 Russian soldiers had been killed so far in the conflict.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said that 137 Ukrainians, both military personnel and civilians, had been killed since the start of the attack early Thursday, AFP reported.