CaliToday (08/10/2025): Russia rolled out the red carpet for a delegation from Afghanistan's ruling Taliban government on Tuesday, using a high-profile international meeting in Moscow to praise the regime's security efforts while delivering a powerful warning against any foreign military presence in the country.
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| In this photo released by Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service, Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, front left, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, right, shake hands prior to their talks on the sidelines of the Moscow format consultations on Afghanistan in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025. (Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service via AP) |
The summit underscored the deepening ties between Moscow and Kabul, even as the Taliban remains largely isolated on the world stage over its human rights record.
A Message of Cooperation and Caution
In his opening remarks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov struck a dual tone of support and admonition. He commended the Taliban government for its work in combating extremist groups like the Islamic State and for its efforts to eradicate illegal drugs.
However, Lavrov's central message was a firm rejection of outside military influence. "The deployment of military infrastructure of any third countries on the territory of Afghanistan, as well as on the territories of neighboring states, is categorically unacceptable under any pretext," he declared.
His comments came just a month after the Afghan government rejected a proposal by President Donald Trump to retake Bagram Air Base, the sprawling military facility abandoned during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal in 2021.
"The military presence of any extra-regional players could only lead to destabilization and new conflicts," Lavrov added, alluding to Afghanistan's long and troubled history with foreign intervention, including the Soviet Union's own decade-long war that ended in 1989. "I believe everyone should have drawn the right conclusions a long time ago."
An Emerging Alliance
The Moscow talks highlighted Russia's strategic pivot toward the Taliban. In July, Russia became the first country to officially recognize the Taliban's government, having removed the group from its list of outlawed organizations. Lavrov stated Russia's intent to expand business ties and boost anti-terrorism and anti-narcotics cooperation, while simultaneously criticizing the West for its "hostile" policies toward Kabul, including the continued freeze on Afghan assets.
The Taliban's Acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, warmly received the gesture. He praised "the bold move of the Russian Federation to officially recognize the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan" and expressed his wish that other countries would follow Moscow's lead.
Muttaqi positioned his government as a force for stability, telling the assembled regional representatives from China, India, Iran, and Central Asian states that after four decades of conflict, Afghanistan now offered "comprehensive security" and was fertile ground for investment and connectivity.
The Unresolved Issue of Human Rights
Despite this diplomatic outreach, the Taliban government's quest for full international legitimacy remains hindered by its oppressive domestic policies. Since seizing power in August 2021, the group has enforced a strict interpretation of Islamic law that severely curtails the rights of women and girls.
Contrary to their initial promises of a more moderate rule, the Taliban have barred women from most jobs and public spaces and banned girls from receiving an education beyond the sixth grade. These restrictions remain a primary reason for their continued isolation and the reluctance of the global community to grant them formal recognition, creating a stark contrast between their diplomatic ambitions and their actions at home.