The Taliban took power again in 2021 after overthrowing the U.S.-backed government and introducing a strict version of Islamic law. Three years later, President Vladimir Putin called the Taliban “allies in the fight against terrorism.”
Relations between Russia and Afghanistan. Moscow has entered into a “pragmatic dialogue”
Russia became the first country to recognize the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in July last year, removing the Taliban from the list of terrorist organizations and welcoming its ambassador to Moscow.
Speaking at a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization led by Russia and China in Kyrgyzstan, Shoigu emphasized that Moscow had entered into a “pragmatic dialogue” with the Taliban to “pursue goals related to regional security and economic development.”
— We are consistently building a full-fledged partnership including political and security contacts, as well as trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation — said Shoigu, quoted by the state news agency TASS.
He stated that up to 23,000 remain active in Afghanistan. members of over 20 armed groups and praised Kabul for its “fierce armed struggle” against Islamic State.
Sergei Shoigu turned to the US authorities
Shoigu, who served as Russia's defense minister from 2012 to 2024, called on the United States to bear “full responsibility” for its 20-year presence in Afghanistan and “take the main burden” of rebuilding the country after the conflict.
He also expressed opposition to what he called attempts by other countries to establish a military presence in Afghanistan. Russia has already declared that it does not intend to deploy its troops there.
