Afghanistan Times
Related Articles
KABUL – Sergei Naryshkin, Director of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), has accused Western intelligence agencies of actively seeking to support anti-government forces in Afghanistan to maintain instability and further their geopolitical interests. Speaking at the “Afghanistan: Regional Interconnectivity, Security and Development” conference in Baku on April 17-18, Naryshkin criticized the West for continuing to block Afghan assets and enforce sanctions against Kabul. He emphasized that Afghanistan’s geopolitical significance makes it crucial for regional cooperation and stability.
In a related development, on April 17, 2025, Russia’s Supreme Court removed the Taliban from its list of banned terrorist organizations, a move that could pave the way for formal diplomatic relations. Naryshkin described this as a step toward international recognition of the Afghan government and highlighted positive dynamics in Russian-Afghan relations. He expressed confidence that overcoming Western interference would facilitate Afghanistan’s recovery and prosperity.
The SVR chief also noted the growing cooperation between Russian and Azerbaijani intelligence services, emphasizing mutual benefits and trust-based collaboration aimed at safeguarding national interests.
