Afghanistan Times Latest News and Analysis from Afghanistan and the Region
Related Articles
KABUL – In a historic shift, Russia hosted the first official high-level talks with Afghanistan’s Taliban government on Tuesday since recognizing it as the country’s legitimate authority, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov using the “Moscow Format” summit to launch a sharp critique of Western policy and urge immediate international support for Kabul.
Speaking at the opening of the consultations, Lavrov praised the Taliban for its efforts in fighting the Islamic State’s regional chapter and combating drug trafficking. He placed full blame for Afghanistan’s ongoing economic crisis on the West, condemning its “confrontational policy,” the continued freezing of Afghan state assets, and restrictions on its banking system.
“We call on Western countries to correct their course, return the assets they have seized and take responsibility for Afghanistan’s reconstruction,” Lavrov declared before the assembled delegates.
The Russian diplomat also issued a firm warning against the establishment of any new foreign military bases in Afghanistan or neighboring countries. “History has shown us the catastrophic consequences of foreign military interference. We cannot afford to repeat these mistakes,” he stated.
The meeting, held under the “Moscow Format,” brought together officials from Afghanistan, India, Iran, Pakistan, and the five Central Asian republics. On the sidelines, Russia’s senior envoy to Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, assured journalists that Moscow itself has no plans to establish military bases in the country.
This summit marks the most significant engagement since Russia became the first nation to officially recognize the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in July 2025, following its removal from Moscow’s list of terrorist organizations. The move, which aligns with President Vladimir Putin’s past description of the Taliban as “allies in the fight against terrorism,” solidifies Russia’s position as a leading external power broker in the region following the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces.
