Security Forum hosted by the Russian Security Council. The forum ran from 26 to 29 May 2026 in the Moscow region. After signing, both men spoke briefly.
Mohammad Yaqoob said: “Interaction with Russia is important for us. Afghanistan and Russia have long and historical relations, and we want to move forward in this direction. We have expanded our bilateral relations.”
Sergei Shoigu replied by saying that Russia wants to see a united, independent, and peaceful Afghanistan. He also expressed support for the Taliban’s efforts to fight terrorism and drug crimes. Then he made two strong statements.
First, he called on Western countries to unfreeze Afghan assets. “We are confident that the countries of the West must release frozen Afghan assets and recognise to the full measure the responsibility for their presence in Afghanistan during twenty years,” he said.
Second, he warned against any Western military presence in or near Afghanistan. “We proceed from unacceptability for us and for our Afghan friends of accommodation of military infrastructure and military installations of the United States of America and NATO in the territory of Afghanistan or its neighbouring countries under any pretext,” Shoigu added.
Why is Russia Doing This?
Russia has several good reasons to work with the Taliban.
Fighting terrorism: Russia is very worried about the Islamic State group in Afghanistan, known as IS-K (Islamic State Khorasan Province). IS-K claimed responsibility for a terrible attack on a concert hall near Moscow in March 2024. Nearly 150 people died. Russia blames IS-K for many other threats. The Taliban also fights IS-K. So Russia sees the Taliban as a useful partner in counter-terrorism.
Regional stability: Afghanistan shares borders with former Soviet republics like Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. These are close to Russia. If Afghanistan becomes unstable again, violence could spread north. Russia wants a stable government in Kabul, even if it is the Taliban.
Economic opportunities: Russia has talked about using Afghanistan as a transit route to send gas to South Asia. Russia also opened a business office in Kabul after the Taliban took over. Trade could grow if relations improve.
Geopolitics: By recognising the Taliban and signing deals, Russia shows that it is a major power in the region. It also sends a message to the United States and NATO: Russia can work with the same groups that the West fought for 20 years.
What Does the Taliban Get?
For the Taliban, this agreement is very valuable.
Legitimacy: The Taliban government is not recognised by most countries. Even the United Nations still deals with the previous government’s representatives. Getting a military cooperation deal with a permanent UN Security Council member like Russia gives the Taliban a big boost in international standing.
Practical help: The Afghan military still uses many Soviet-era and Russian-made weapons. These need spare parts and maintenance. Russia can provide that. The deal may also include training for Taliban soldiers.
Economic benefits: Closer ties with Russia could open the door for investment and trade. Afghanistan’s economy is in very bad shape. Any help is welcome.
What the Deal Does NOT Mean
Some experts warn not to overestimate this agreement.