KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian National Security Council, has arrived in Kabul at the head of a high-level delegation for talks with senior Taliban officials. This marks the highest-ranking Russian delegation to visit Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover.
The Russian delegation, which includes key figures such as Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk, has already met with Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban’s economic deputy prime minister, and Mullah Abdul Kabir, the political deputy prime minister. During these meetings, discussions centered around strengthening political relations, expanding economic cooperation, increasing trade and transit, and fostering Russian investment in Afghanistan.
A statement from the Taliban’s prime minister’s office indicated that during his meeting with Baradar, Shoigu emphasized Russia’s commitment to furthering bilateral ties. Baradar highlighted that with the “restoration of security and stability,” Afghanistan is emerging as a hub for regional economic cooperation, benefiting the entire region.
In line with their discussions, Baradar reiterated the Taliban’s efforts to secure Afghanistan’s growth, pointing to the group’s ban on narcotics cultivation and its actions to dismantle groups that threaten both Afghanistan’s stability and the wider region.
Russian Delegation’s Position on Taliban Relations
Shoigu, who arrived in Kabul on orders from Russian President Vladimir Putin, underscored Russia’s intention to deepen political and economic relations with Afghanistan. He noted that, as part of this engagement, the Taliban is expected to soon be removed from Russia’s blacklist to facilitate stronger ties. Russian officials have also confirmed that the process to remove the Taliban from the list of terrorist organizations is underway, although formal recognition of the group remains premature.
Russia’s support for regional infrastructure projects was also discussed, with the Russian delegation expressing backing for the Afghan-Turkmenistan railway project. Additionally, Russian officials indicated their willingness to initiate practical economic cooperation with Afghanistan at the upcoming St. Petersburg Economic Forum. Russian investors and state-owned companies are reportedly interested in sectors such as mining, transport, and agriculture in Afghanistan.
Discussions with Mullah Abdul Kabir
Shoigu also met with Mullah Abdul Kabir, the Taliban’s political deputy prime minister, along with other senior officials including Abdul Haq Wasiq, head of intelligence, and Faseh-ud-Din Fetrat, head of the army staff. During this meeting, Shoigu reiterated Russia’s desire to expand trade and economic relations with Kabul.
Further, Shoigu expressed Russia’s interest in Afghanistan regaining its observer status within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), reflecting Moscow’s broader strategy of closer integration with Afghanistan. Alexey Overchuk, part of the Russian delegation, highlighted opportunities for cooperation between the two countries, particularly in trade, and indicated that Russia is prepared to reduce or eliminate tariffs on Afghan exports. The Russian officials also proposed signing a cooperation agreement with Afghanistan in the transport sector.
Taliban’s View on Relations with Russia
Mullah Abdul Kabir described the visit as a sign of positive relations between Kabul and Moscow. He praised Russia’s supportive stance on Afghanistan’s position in international forums and expressed the Taliban’s interest in expanding relations across various domains. He emphasized that Afghanistan’s stability and economic growth are inherently linked to regional security and prosperity.
Kabir reiterated the Taliban’s commitment to ensuring that Afghanistan’s soil would not be used against any other country and stressed that the group does not seek conflict. Rather, he called for regional cooperation and dialogue as the path to resolving disputes and ensuring lasting stability.
He claimed that under Taliban rule, security has been restored across Afghanistan, ISIS has been suppressed, and issues like land-grabbing, crime, and narcotics production have been eliminated. Drug production and ISIS activity have long been concerns for Russia and its Central Asian allies.
Russia’s Position on Official Recognition of the Taliban
Although Russia has shown growing interest in engaging with the Taliban, including alongside China and Iran, it has not yet officially recognized the group. Andrei Rudenko, Russia’s deputy foreign minister, recently stated that formal recognition of the Taliban is not imminent. However, Shoigu’s visit to Kabul signals a growing relationship between the two countries.
This visit comes at a time when Russia is heavily involved in the war in Ukraine, which has been ongoing for more than two years. While Russian officials have not disclosed specific details about Shoigu’s discussions with the Taliban, the trip underscores Russia’s expanding influence in Afghanistan and its desire to play a key role in regional economic and security affairs.
