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       Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech at a congress of the ruling United Russia party, in Moscow, on Aug. 24.

       SPUTNIK/Reuters

       President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Russia would not deploy its armed force to Afghanistan to take part in a conflict and that Moscow had learnt the lessons of the Soviet Union’s decade-long failed intervention there.

       Putin was speaking to a congress of the ruling United Russia party.

       “It goes without saying that we do not plan to interfere in Afghanistan’s domestic affairs let alone deploy our armed forces in a conflict,” said Putin.

       “The USSR had its own experience in that country. We have drawn the necessary lessons.”

       Soviet forces left Afghanistan in 1989.

       Thousands of Afghans continue to gather outside Kabul's airport, waiting to flee the country. Reuters asked some people in the crowd if they believed the Taliban had changed. Reuters

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