Russia announced on Thursday that it was establishing a "full-fledged partnership" with the Taliban, who govern Afghanistan, marking a new step in the rapprochement between Moscow and Kabul. Russian authorities are also calling on other countries in the region to strengthen their cooperation with the Afghan government.
Russian security official Sergei Shoigu stated that this cooperation was essential for regional stability and development. According to him, Moscow is currently building a "pragmatic dialogue" with the Taliban authorities, covering areas such as security, trade, culture, and humanitarian aid.
Russia had already taken a major step last year by becoming the first country to officially recognize the Taliban government that came to power in August 2021, after the chaotic withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan following twenty years of war.
Sergei Shoigu was speaking at a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a regional group that includes China, India, Iran, Pakistan, and several former Soviet republics. He indicated that the SCO planned to relaunch its contact group on Afghanistan.
The rapprochement between Moscow and Kabul represents a significant shift in Russia's position. The Taliban had been designated a terrorist organization by Moscow in 2003, before this designation was officially lifted in April 2025.
Russian authorities now believe that direct cooperation with the Taliban is necessary in the face of rising security threats linked to armed Islamist groups operating between Afghanistan and the Middle East. Moscow is thus seeking to strengthen its regional influence while attempting to contain the risks of destabilization in its strategic neighborhood.
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