Russia has signed an agreement to deepen its military cooperation with the Taliban, solidifying ties with the hardline Islamist group and reinforcing its status as the only nation to recognize the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. The pact was formalized at the “International Security Forum” in Moscow on Wednesday, attended by Taliban Defense Minister Mohammad Yaqoob.
Details of the Agreement
Neither Russia nor the Taliban disclosed specifics of the military technical agreement. However, the deal raises concerns that the Taliban could provide seasoned fighters to support Russia’s war in Ukraine, following the model of North Korea, which sent thousands of troops to the frontlines after signing a military pact with Moscow in June 2024.
Yaqoob stated that the Taliban views cooperation with Russia as carrying “important meaning” and emphasized the historical ties between the two nations. “Afghanistan and Russia have long and historical relations. We have expanded bilateral relations,” he said.
Russia’s Stance
Sergei Shoigu, a top aide to Vladimir Putin and secretary of the Russian Security Council, welcomed Yaqoob and criticized Western sanctions against the Taliban. “We are convinced that Western countries should unfreeze blocked Afghan assets and take responsibility for their 20-year presence in Afghanistan,” Shoigu said. He also praised Taliban efforts against terrorism and drug trafficking, while rejecting any return of US or NATO military structures in the region.
Expert Analysis
Experts remain skeptical about the extent of military cooperation. Aleksei Zakhrov, a fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, noted fundamental differences between Russia’s relationships with North Korea and the Taliban. “Russia cannot expect significant help from the Taliban in terms of weapons or troops. The Taliban is struggling with rising instability in northern provinces and cannot fully protect its southern border with Pakistan,” Zakhrov said. He suggested Russia might offer outdated weapons or maintenance support, but not advanced technology due to proliferation risks.
Instead, Russia may prefer the Taliban to focus on securing its northern provinces and the porous border with Central Asia, a region Moscow considers its backyard. Russia has expressed concerns over the presence of ISIS fighters in Afghanistan.
Divergent Views on ISIS
Alexander Bortnikov, director of Russia’s Federal Security Service, warned that the ISIS-Khorasan group is actively recruiting from Central Asian countries and labor migrants in Russia. In contrast, Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid claimed that ISIS has been completely eliminated in Afghanistan. “No country should have concerns about Afghanistan. No individual or group is allowed to carry out such activities,” Mujahid said.
The agreement marks a significant step in Russia-Taliban relations, but its practical impact on the Ukraine war remains uncertain.
