Taliban's Afghanistan Takeover Biggest Event Since Crimea: EU Foreign Policy Chief

Afghanistan: European Union Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell told the European Parliament major worries included a possible surge in refugees.

The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan is the most important geopolitical event since Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea in 2014, the EU's foreign policy chief said on Thursday. Josep Borrell told the European Parliament major worries included a possible surge in refugees and increasing complexity in Central Asia -- with Turkey, China and Russia all vying to increase their influence in the region. Borrell reiterated that the EU was being forced to "establish channels of communication" with the Taliban to ensure the evacuation of its nationals and Afghan staff and their families. "Yes, we have to talk with the Taliban but that doesn't mean recognition," he said.