Russia held its first official meeting with Taliban officials on October 7, following its recognition of the Afghan government and removal of the group from its list of terrorist organizations, The Moscow Times reported.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov used the occasion to criticize Western sanctions and call for international support for the Afghanistan’s postwar recovery.
Speaking at the opening of the “Moscow Format” consultations on Afghanistan, Lavrov praised the Taliban for combating the regional chapter of the Islamic State and tackling drug trafficking, while blaming the West for a “confrontational policy,” including the continued freezing of Afghan state assets and restrictions on its banking system.
“We call on Western countries to correct their course, return the assets they have seized and take responsibility for Afghanistan’s reconstruction,” Lavrov said.
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Jan 08, 2025 22:41
Lavrov also warned against the establishment of foreign military bases in Afghanistan and neighboring countries.
“History has shown us the catastrophic consequences of foreign military interference. We cannot afford to repeat these mistakes,” he said during his opening remarks.
The meeting brought together Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as well as officials from India, Iran, Pakistan, and five ex-Soviet Central Asian republics.
Russia became the first country to officially recognize the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in July 2025 after removing the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations and accepting its ambassador to Moscow.
Last year, Russian leader Vladimir Putin referred to the Taliban as “allies in the fight against terrorism.”
Previously, it was reported that Lavrov said that Ukraine can only “exist” if it gives up the territories annexed by Moscow—an ultimatum echoing Putin’s reported demands to end the war.
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