ISTANBUL

Russia on Friday called on Afghanistan and Pakistan to return to the negotiating table amid cross-border clashes between the two countries.

In a statement, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova expressed Russia's concern over the escalation of armed clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

“We are concerned about the sharp escalation of armed clashes between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, involving regular army units, air force, and heavy weapons,” she said, adding that casualties had been reported on both sides.

Zakharova called on both countries to “abandon this dangerous confrontation.”

“We call on our friendly Afghanistan and Pakistan to abandon this dangerous confrontation and return to the negotiating table to resolve all differences through political and diplomatic means,” she said.

In later remarks to reporters during a press briefing, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov underlined that Moscow is monitoring the situation on the Afghan-Pakistani border, expressing hope for a swift end to the clashes.

"Of course, the direct military clashes that have taken place do not bode well. Therefore, we still hope that they will cease as soon as possible," Peskov said.

He went on to state that the Kremlin is preparing contacts between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, adding that they will "provide information on the exact dates" later.

In an interview with state news agency RIA earlier in the day, Pakistani Ambassador to Moscow Faisal Niaz Tirmizi said Sharif will arrive in Russia on a visit on March 3-5.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have seen fierce clashes since Thursday night, which have killed at least 29 people, including four civilians, 12 Pakistani soldiers, and 13 Afghan troops.

Kabul on Thursday announced it launched border attacks against Pakistan over airstrikes on Sunday by Islamabad inside Afghanistan, which left many dead. Pakistan responded with heavy fire and fresh airstrikes in the Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia provinces early Friday.