German chancellor Angela Merkel seeks Russia's support in rescuing Afghan forces

Merkel is on a trip to Moscow where she urged Russia to communicate with the Taliban that there was willingness to work with the insurgent group on humanitarian grounds if they permit the safe evacuation of Western-allied Afghans.

"I have given information that we in Germany consider it most important to evacuate people who have worked for over 20 years for us. Those citizens of Afghanistan should receive a place to stay in Germany," Merkel said, reported DW.

Putin called on the international community to stop the "collapse" of Afghanistan.

"The Taliban movement control almost the entire territory of the country," he said. "These are the realities and it is from these realities that we must proceed, preventing the collapse of the Afghan state."

Russia is concerned that the instability may spill over to neighbouring ex-Soviet states and is taking cautious steps to set up contact with the Taliban.

While other countries evacuated their embassies in a hurry and under heavy security cover, Russia said its embassy will continue to function in Kabul.

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters on last week that the Taliban are "actively restoring order" and have demonstrated their "intent to dialogue", stated the AFP report.