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KABUL – Russia’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, firmly declared on Tuesday that Moscow is not considering deploying its troops to Afghanistan, following high-level diplomatic talks between Russian and Afghan officials in the Russian capital.
“Absolutely out of the question,” Kabulov told reporters, echoing Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s earlier rejection of any third-party military infrastructure in Afghanistan or neighboring states. The remarks came after the seventh “Moscow Format” consultations, which included the Taliban’s interim Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi.
Kabulov emphasized the regional commitment to deepening ties with the Taliban administration and welcomed ongoing dialogue between the U.S. and the Taliban on reopening embassies. He also confirmed that Muttaqi assured Lavrov that Kabul would not permit foreign military bases—including the key Bagram Air Base—on Afghan soil.
The meeting underscores Moscow’s growing diplomatic engagement with Kabul since becoming the first country to officially recognize the Taliban government in July. Lavrov also pledged continued Russian support for Afghanistan in combating drug trafficking, terrorism, and organized crime.
