Russia has offered to mediate in efforts to reduce rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, as reported by The Express Tribune on Sunday.

Speaking at a press conference in the Kremlin, Zakharova emphasized that establishing stability in the region is Russia’s highest priority. She noted that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi had held a phone conversation on Friday to discuss ways to ease pressures between the two countries.

Zakharova welcomed the agreement reached through mediation by Qatar and Turkey, which calls for a ceasefire along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and a halt to cross-border gunfire. She described both Pakistan and Afghanistan as key regional partners and cautioned that border tensions could pose serious threats to regional security.

She stressed that sustainable peace can only be achieved through dialogue and negotiation. The Russian Foreign Ministry urged both countries to exercise restraint, resolve differences through talks, and avoid actions that could escalate tensions.

Zakharova reiterated that the ongoing discord between Pakistan and Afghanistan threatens regional peace and stability, making it imperative to continue the dialogue process.