Russia recognized the power of the Taliban. This is why Putin wants to do business with them
The Soviet Union became more interested in Afghanistan after World War II. In the years 1954–1978 Kabul received from the Kremlin over $ 1 billion. Help, including military support, which allowed, among others modernize the Afghan army. In return, Moscow received concessions for geological research, search for oil. The exploration started in 1958. Both countries signed subsequent contracts and agreements, which included, among others Development of petrochemical and gas sectors, trade, transport and construction of factories.
In 1978 there was a coup in Afghanistan. As a result, the pro -American President Mohammad Daud Chan lost his life, and local communists took over power, who began to introduce radical social and anti -religious reforms, which caused mass rebellions and resistance to the province.
The Russians intervened in Afghanistan. “By the way” their empire fell apart
The USSR was afraid that the destabilization of Afghanistan could affect the neighboring Muslim Soviet Republics. That is why he planned a short intervention. Ultimately, the mission lasted 9 years and, according to historians, partly contributed to the breakup of the Soviet empire. Afghanistan plunged into the civil war on 1996.
After her, the Taliban took power for the first time. However, at that time they did not maintain close relationships with Moscow. Afghanistan recognized the independence of the Russian Republic of Chechnya in the North Caucasus, and Moscow tried to build good relations with the West.
The Taliban lost power as a result of American military intervention in 2001, US armies and their allies (with the support of Vladimir Putin) entered the country in response to the attacks on the World Trade Center, organized by Bin Laden and his al-Qaeda. The terrorist organization had its base in Afghanistan and was protected by the government. After the Americans' retreating in August 2021, the Taliban regained power.
According to the RIA Nowosti agency, Russia officially recognized the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan as the state. Vladimir Putin is the first country in the world that recognized the rule of the Taliban in Afghanistan.
“There is a huge potential for cooperation between our countries, which should be used. Such cooperation will not only stimulate the economies of both countries, but also lead to prosperity and strengthening of mutual trust,” said, quoted by Ria Nowosti, Ambassador of Afghanistan in Cathar Suhail Shaheen.
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The USA does not recognize the rule of the Taliban in Afghanistan
Russia's decision is a very important signal, among others for the USA. According to the service of the Al Jazera television station, this move will probably be carefully watched by Washington, which frozen billions of dollars of the Afghan Central Bank assets and imposed sanctions on some Taliban leaders. This contributed to the cut -off of the Afghan banking sector from the international financial system and serious economic problems.
It is worth recalling that the Russians have already sent signals to help Afghanistan. Their delegation was invited at the Economic Forum in St. Petersburg in the years 2022 and 2024. The highest rank of the group diplomat met with the head of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sergei Ławrow.
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Why is Vladimir Putin Russia interested in Afghanistan?
Afghanistan is one of the key points on the map for Russia. The Kremlin consistently sympathizes with the acute anti -western rhetoric of the Taliban.
“Considering economic insulation and sanctions, the partnership with Afghanistan is important for the Kremlin. It is also a way for the Russian authorities to make sure that they are not lonely in their anti -western beliefs” – we read in the analysis of the American Think Tank Carnegie Endowment for International Peace from 2023.
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What does Russia count on in Afghanistan?
Moscow is interested in a whole series of ambitious projects in Afghanistan, including A combination of the emerging Turkmenistan -Afghanistan -Instate -Indie gas pipeline with the Russian system and the Transafgan Railway connecting Uzbekistan and Pakistan (the idea is in the design phase).
It is also worth remembering that Afghanistan has significant resources of natural gas, copper, cobalt, iron ores, coal and rare earth metals, including lithium.
There is one more aspect. Moscow sees a partner in the Taliban in the fight against terrorism. As al Jazera reminds, in July 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the Taliban “allies in the fight against terrorism.” Especially against the so -called Islamic State in the province of Chorasan. It was this group that conducted an assassination at Russian diplomats in Kabul and committed acts of terror in Russia.
