Sergei Shoigu, Russia’s Secretary of the National Security Council, has stated that the country is establishing a “full-fledged partnership” with the Taliban and is encouraging other regional countries to expand cooperation with the group.
According to Reuters, the Secretary of the National Security Council made these remarks today (Thursday, May 14) during a meeting with his counterparts from the member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Shoigu said that cooperation with the Taliban is important for regional security and development, and that Russia is engaging in a “pragmatic dialogue” with the group, covering areas such as security, trade, culture, and humanitarian support.
The Secretary of the National Security Council also called on the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to reactivate its contact group for Afghanistan.
Over the past four years, Russia has had extensive political and economic engagement with the Taliban and is currently the only country in the world that has officially recognized the group’s government in Afghanistan.
The Russian government declared the Taliban an “illegal terrorist movement” in 2003 but removed the group from its list of terrorist organizations in April 2025, subsequently recognizing the Taliban government in Afghanistan.
Nevertheless, Russian officials have repeatedly expressed concern about the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan and have called on the Taliban to treat all terrorist groups equally.
Writer:Salima Hakimi
