Taliban Plans to Source Oil Products from Russia, Russian Trade Official Says

DID Press: Afghanistan’s caretaker administration is preparing to secure its petroleum product imports through new agreements with Russia, according to a senior Russian trade official.

Rustom Khabibulin said that the Afghan authorities intend to sign several new contracts with Russia to meet their fuel and energy needs.

He noted that the agreements are expected to be finalized in May during the Economic Forum on Russia and the Islamic World in Kazan, adding that the deals could significantly expand economic cooperation between Kabul and Moscow, particularly in the energy sector.

Afghanistan has increasingly sought to diversify its energy suppliers in recent years due to economic constraints and reduced access to traditional markets.

Analysts say that increased imports of petroleum products from Russia could help stabilize the domestic fuel market and reduce price volatility, although key details such as import volumes, pricing mechanisms, and contract duration have not yet been disclosed.