No one is in a rush to recognize the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan, Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia said on Friday, signaling that Moscow was not ready to allow Islamists to represent Afghanistan at the Nations. United.

He also said the UN and unilateral sanctions against the Taliban leadership should be addressed, but “maybe not right now.”

“The question of recognition will arise when the international community ensures that the promises and commitments announced by the authorities are kept,” Nebenzia told reporters.

He was referring to the Taliban’s commitments – made since the group toppled the Western-backed government in mid-August – which included respecting human rights, especially those of women and girls, and combating human rights. terrorism and drugs.

The United Nations is considering competing claims over who should represent Afghanistan. The Taliban have appointed their Doha-based spokesman Suhail Shaheen as UN ambassador, while Ghulam Isaczai – the UN envoy representing the government overthrown by the Taliban – seeks to remain at the country’s headquarters.

“When credentials are presented, they are presented on behalf of the head of state,” Nebenzia said. “If it is presented on behalf of a (head of) state that no one recognizes, then draw your own conclusions.”

A nine-member UN powers committee, which includes Russia, China and the United States, is due to consider rival Afghan claims next month and the decision will likely be made before the end of the year.

“The main thing today is to stabilize the country,” said Nebenzia. “The economy is on the verge of collapse with the lack of resources, which are frozen and not being released anytime soon, judging by the statements we are hearing.”

Afghanistan has deposited billions of dollars in overseas assets with the U.S. Federal Reserve and other central banks in Europe, but that money has been frozen since the Taliban came to power.

Shaheen posted on Twitter on Friday: “We call on the international community to support Afghanistan by unlocking nearly $ 10 billion in assets from the Afghan people and resuming development aid and projects pledged to Afghanistan.”

Even the United Nations cannot get enough money in Afghanistan to provide aid to millions of people on the brink of famine and is struggling to develop options to help stabilize the collapsing economy, UN officials said.

“Carrying cash on planes … might not be the best solution,” said Nebenzia.