In a recent meeting in Kabul, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Russia's Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, discussed enhancing bilateral relations, trade prospects, and the Taliban's involvement in regional initiatives.
Muttaqi emphasised the growing ties between the Taliban and Russia, expressing gratitude for Russia's support in international forums and advocating for stronger economic connections. The Taliban, as per a statement issued on Wednesday by Abdul Qahar Balkhi, the group’s foreign ministry spokesperson, is prepared to assist the transit of Russian goods to South Asia by reconstructing the Salang tunnel.
Kabulov, highlighting the evolving geopolitical landscape, stated that new regional mechanisms should not be implemented without the Taliban's consent. He encouraged nations with grievances against Afghanistan to engage directly with the Taliban for resolution.
The statement did not specify any countries or detail the mentioned mechanisms. However, it noted Kabulov's call for the U.S. to release Afghanistan's frozen foreign exchange reserves, aiming to bolster the Afghan economy.
Moscow, while maintaining strong ties with the Taliban, has stopped short of officially recognising their government. It recently hosted a gathering of Taliban opposition groups titled “Afghanistan between the Past and the Future”, backed by A Just Russia Party and the country’s Academy of Sciences. The event saw intense critique of the Taliban's policies.
