The U.N. Security Council on Thursday renewed the world body's assistance mission in Afghanistan for another year, but Russia abstained from the vote over what it called a "stubborn ignorance of the new realities" after the Taliban seized power.
The hard-line Islamist Taliban has not been recognized internationally as Afghanistan's government since taking over in August.
Russia wanted the 15-member council to reference the "de-facto authorities" and a need for host country approval of the U.N. presence. The resolution, adopted with 14 votes in favor, cites "relevant authorities" and does not mention host country agreement.
