KABUL — The Taliban’s interior minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani, met with Russia’s special envoy to Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, to discuss regional security cooperation, economic ties, and efforts to elevate diplomatic relations, the Taliban-run Interior Ministry said on Wednesday.
According to a statement from the ministry, Haqqani praised Russia’s recent decision to suspend the Taliban’s designation as a terrorist organization, calling it a “significant step toward recognizing Afghanistan’s political realities.” He also emphasized the Taliban’s desire to strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation in trade and regional security.
Russia’s Supreme Court last week suspended the Taliban’s classification as a terrorist organization, a move that analysts see as paving the way for deeper engagement between Moscow and the Taliban administration. While formal recognition has not yet been granted, the court’s decision signals a shift in Russia’s approach amid growing contacts between the two sides.
Despite the diplomatic outreach, Russia remains concerned about terrorism threats emanating from Afghanistan. A recent United Nations report warned that over 20 terrorist groups, including ISIS and al-Qaeda, continue to operate within Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
Both Haqqani and Kabulov, according to the Taliban statement, expressed commitment to elevating bilateral relations to the diplomatic level and increasing cooperation in areas such as security, trade, and regional transit. The meeting marks one of the highest-profile engagements between the Taliban and Russian officials since Moscow’s recent legal shift on the Taliban’s status.
