Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu on Monday announced Moscow's intention to enhance relations with Afghanistan and remove the Taliban-led Islamic Emirate from its "blacklist", the Afghan government reported on Monday.

The announcement follows high-level talks between Shoigu and Afghanistan's Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, aimed at deepening political and economic collaboration.

Plans to normalize relations

According to a statement issued by the government, Shoigu acknowledged Afghanistan's evolving political, economic, and security landscape and affirmed Russia's commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation.

The discussions highlighted Russia's readiness to expand economic ties with Afghanistan, with particular interest in sectors such as mining, transport, and agriculture. 

The statement noted that "the Russian delegation expressed support for the Afghan-Trans project and indicated readiness to initiate practical economic collaborations with Afghanistan, particularly during the St. Petersburg Economic Forum."

Moreover, "Russian investors and state-owned enterprises also expressed interest in investing in Afghanistan across sectors like mining, transport, and agriculture."

Today, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, met with the delegation led by Sergey Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian Federation’s National Security Council, at the Chahar Chinar Palace in the Arg. pic.twitter.com/EhVuXw9VHX

— ریاست عمومی دفتر ریاست الوزراء ـ OCS (@OCS_AFG) November 25, 2024

Strategic move

Russia's outreach marks a significant shift in its foreign policy, reflecting the ongoing transition to a multipolar world order.

The move however comes against the backdrop of ongoing international controversy surrounding the Taliban's governance and its position on global sanctions lists. 

Russia's intention to remove the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations was first publicly indicated in May 2024.

On May 27, 2024, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced that Russia would soon remove the Taliban from their list of state sponsors of terrorism, aiming to normalize relations fully.

On October 4, Zamir Kabulov, Russia's special representative for Afghanistan, announced that a "principal decision" had been made at the highest level to delist the Taliban.

He stated that the Foreign Ministry and security agencies were finalizing the legal procedures necessary to implement this decision.

Read more: Over 30% of Afghanistan's population lacks access to health services