Russia Urges Taliban to Cooperate in Counterterrorism

DID Press: Russia’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, on Wednesday praised Taliban’s caretaker government’s actions against ISIS-K and called for enhanced cooperation in counterterrorism during a ceremony marking Afghanistan’s Independence Day in Moscow.

Kabulov highlighted that Russia was the first country that recognized Afghanistan’s independence and, this year, became the first that acknowledged the Taliban’s authority.

He emphasized the importance of joint efforts to combat drug trafficking and terrorist networks, noting that significant progress had been made against ISIS and narcotics production following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Russia expressed particular concern over ISIS-K’s activities in Afghanistan. Last year, the group carried out a deadly attack on a Moscow concert hall, killing 146 people.

Russian officials say political engagement and intelligence sharing with the Taliban caretaker government can help prevent the spread of terrorist networks in Central Asia.

However, Russia’s security agencies have previously warned that Taliban-controlled Afghanistan has become a safe haven for over 20 terrorist groups, including ISIS and al-Qaeda.