MOSCOW — Russia sees opportunity for deeper engagement with Afghanistan despite ongoing challenges, a senior Russian official said this week, citing the Taliban’s willingness to expand economic ties and their “positive attitude” toward Moscow.
In an interview with the Russian daily Izvestia, Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk said that Afghanistan remains a complex environment but holds untapped potential, particularly in transport and trade.
“We have had contacts with Afghans. They want to develop and live in peace,” Overchuk said. “They have a positive attitude towards Russia and are very interested in developing economic ties.”
The comments come as Russia continues to weigh the formal status of the Taliban, which remains officially designated as a banned organization within Russian territory. Overchuk confirmed that the Prosecutor General’s Office has submitted a request to the Supreme Court seeking to lift that designation, which could pave the way for broader diplomatic and commercial engagement.
“This is a legal process,” he said. “If such a decision is taken, better opportunities for relations with this country will open up. In parallel, preparatory work for this interaction is underway.”
Overchuk added that the stabilization of Afghanistan under Taliban rule has opened logistical corridors previously inaccessible. “Peace is coming to Afghanistan today and opportunities are opening up that were not there before,” he said, noting that unimpeded road transit of goods across Afghan territory is now possible.
He also emphasized ongoing discussions about the construction of trans-Afghan railway lines linking Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan with Pakistan and India — a longstanding infrastructure vision that would significantly increase regional connectivity.
“Afghanistan has adopted the Russian 1520 millimeter railway gauge standard,” Overchuk said. “This aligns with our broader vision for the International North–South Transport Corridor and beyond. We will always be interested in new routes leading to new markets.”
While Russia maintains an operational embassy in Kabul, it has not formally recognized the Taliban government. Moscow has continued to host Taliban representatives in diplomatic forums, but official recognition remains conditional on further developments.
The remarks reflect Russia’s pragmatic approach to Afghanistan — balancing political caution with increasing interest in trade and regional infrastructure projects amid shifting alliances in Central and South Asia.
