Russia and Afghanistan signed a military-technical cooperation agreement during the International Security Forum in the Moscow region, marking another step in Moscow’s growing engagement with the Taliban-led administration in Kabul. What would be the impact of the agreement and how it will benefit the two countries? It is being debated right now. Soon after signing the accord, Russian officials urged the Europeans to release frozen funds for Afghanistan.
Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu and Afghan Defence Minister Mohammad Yaqoob signed the agreement as both countries moved to strengthen bilateral relations and expand security cooperation.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Yaqoob said Afghanistan considered its relationship with Russia important because the two countries shared long-standing historical ties. He added that Kabul wanted to continue strengthening cooperation and had already expanded bilateral relations with Moscow in several areas.
Meanwhile, Shoigu urged Western countries to release frozen Afghan financial assets and take responsibility for rebuilding Afghanistan after two decades of military involvement in the country.
“We are convinced that Western countries should unfreeze blocked Afghan assets, fully recognise their responsibility for their 20-year presence in Afghanistan and bear the burden of the country’s post-conflict reconstruction,” Shoigu said during the forum.
The agreement reflected Moscow’s continued efforts to deepen political and security ties with the Taliban authorities despite ongoing international concerns over Afghanistan’s political and human rights situation.
In recent months, Russia and Afghanistan have increased diplomatic contacts and cooperation on regional security issues. Earlier this month, Shoigu told a meeting of security council secretaries from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Bishkek that Russia had established dialogue with the Taliban and was developing what he described as a “full-fledged partnership” with the group.
The latest agreement also highlighted Russia’s broader regional strategy as it seeks to strengthen influence in Central and South Asia through closer coordination with neighbouring governments and security partners.
Analysts said the growing relationship between Moscow and Kabul could further reshape regional dynamics as both sides pursue strategic and economic cooperation amid shifting geopolitical alliances.
