Russia Warns US Military Return to Afghanistan Would Threaten Regional Security

DID Press: Russia has warned that the return of US military infrastructure to Afghanistan would pose a direct threat to regional security, according to Russian news agency Interfax.

Alexander Venediktov, deputy secretary of Russia’s Security Council, said Washington was not concealing its plans to restore a military presence in Afghanistan.

“The emergence of such a foothold would directly threaten all countries in the region,” Venediktov said, according to Interfax.

He added that Moscow’s security dialogue with Kabul was partly aimed at preventing countries from outside the region from re-establishing a military presence in Afghanistan. Venediktov said cooperation with the Taliban authorities was consistent with Russia’s national security interests and its stated goal of maintaining peace and stability across Eurasia.

The warning comes amid regional opposition to the possibility of a US military return to Bagram Air Base, north of Kabul.

In October 2025, the ten countries participating in the Moscow Format consultations, including Russia, China, Iran, India and Pakistan, opposed the establishment of foreign military infrastructure in Afghanistan and neighboring countries.

Venediktov also said Russian and Afghan officials were working to expand bilateral cooperation through diplomatic channels, government contacts and private-sector engagement.

He pointed to a joint economic and trade working group and efforts to strengthen the legal framework governing relations between the two sides. Transport and energy projects, he added, were among Moscow’s priorities in its cooperation with Afghanistan.