Vladimir Putin has warned leaders in Central Asia they need to be prepared for an incursion into their territories by Islamic militants.
Speaking to the heads of former Soviet republics at a summit in Kazakhstan, Putin said the situation in Afghanistan was “close to critical”.
He told the leaders of countries neighbouring the war-torn state they should be prepared to act together to repel a possible attack.
It comes a day after US President Barack Obama announced plans to keep about 9,800 US troops in Afghanistan to help battle a resurgent Taliban.
Putin said: “Terrorists of all kinds are getting more clout and do not hide their plans of further expansion.
“One of their goals is to push into the Central Asian region. It’s important that we are prepared to react to this scenario together.”
Afghanistan shares a border with three Central Asian countries: Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
Just a week ago, Russia beefed up its base in Tajikistan by deploying Mi-24P attack helicopters, according to Sky News.
While many of the Central Asian countries retain strong links to Russia after winning independence in the early 1990s, some have also co-operated with the US over the war in Afghanistan.
Uzbekistan’s President Islam Karimov has previously urged Russia to help protect Central Asia from the threat of militant Islam.
In May, a commander of Tajikistan’s elite police force defected to Islamic State.
Putin’s call follows Russia’s intervention in the war in Syria, which it said was, in part, to help the regime of Bashar al Assad defeat Islamic State but has been criticised by the US and others for targeting other rebel forces.
The leaders agreed to create a joint task force to defend external borders in crisis situations.
