Published 5 hours ago • loading... • Updated 9 hours ago
Russia, Afghanistan Sign Military Cooperation Deal
The agreement follows a meeting between Sergei Shoigu and Mohammad Yaqoob, while analysts say it may mainly formalize ties on paper.
On Wednesday, Russia signed an agreement to deepen military and technical cooperation with the Taliban at the 'International Security Forum' in Moscow, attended by Taliban defence minister Mohammad Yaqoob.
Moscow remains the only nation to recognize the Taliban as Afghanistan's official government, a status formalized following Russia's recognition of the regime in July 2025.
Shoigu asserted that Western countries should "unfreeze blocked Afghan assets" and acknowledge their "20-year presence in Afghanistan" as a responsibility.
Aleksei Zakhrov of the New Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation noted the agreement's specific terms remain undisclosed, making it unclear what Russia gains from the partnership.
The pact raises concerns the Taliban could support Russia's war in Ukraine, though analysts suggest cooperation differs from the North Korea military arrangement.