Putin warns of extremist threat from Afghanistan

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday warned against the threat of extremism from Afghanistan after the takeover of the country by the Taliban.

"A number of international terrorist groups affiliated with ISIS continue to operate in the country," Putin said at a meeting with heads of intelligence from countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), which is dominated by Russia.

"We can't rule out that the terrorists could attempt to destabilise the situation in nearby countries, including CIS countries, or even attempt direct expansion," he told them, via videolink.

The head of Russia's foreign intelligence service, Sergei Naryshkin, warned during the meeting that the US intended to increase its presence in Central Asia.

"Washington is not only planning, but already fulfilling its destructive plans," he said.

It was the 17th meeting of the intelligence chiefs of the CIS, a regional intergovernmental organization composed of post-Soviet states.

The conference in Moscow was attended by intelligence officials from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.

IMAGE: AP