Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, the presidents of Russia and China, emphasised in a joint statement that the United States and NATO should not attempt to re-establish military infrastructure in Afghanistan.

The statement also mentioned that they are obligated to take responsibility for Afghanistan's socio-economic problems.

The joint statement by Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping was published on the Kremlin's website on Thursday, May 16.

In the joint statement, the presidents of Russia and China referred to the 20-year presence of the US and NATO in Afghanistan as an "occupation”.

The statement also called for the release of Afghanistan's frozen financial reserves by the US.

It added that the US and NATO should support the post-war reconstruction of Afghanistan and take all necessary measures to release Afghanistan's frozen central bank reserves.

According to the statement, the presidents of Russia and China also expressed their willingness to increase cooperation regarding Afghanistan, both bilaterally and multilaterally, with the goal of transforming Afghanistan into an independent, neutral, peaceful country free of terrorism and drugs.

In this regard, Putin and Xi Jinping emphasised on the active and constructive role of regional formats, including the Moscow format and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, in resolving Afghanistan's political issues.

Putin arrived in Beijing on the Thursday morning, May 16. He thanked Xi Jinping for establishing a strategic partnership based on national interests and mutual trust with Russia.