Russia and the Taliban government in Afghanistan have signed a military cooperation agreement, which was finalized on May 28, 2026, at an international security forum in Russia. The agreement follows a meeting between Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu and Afghan Defense Minister Mohammad Yaqoob, who is also the son of Taliban founder Mullah Mohammad Omar. The Taliban Defense Ministry announced Yaqoob's visit to Russia for the conference.
Details of the military agreement have not been disclosed by either party. Yaqoob stated, "Afghanistan and Russia have long and historical relations. In this direction, we want to move further. We have expanded bilateral relations."
This pact comes after a senior Russian security official indicated that Moscow has established a full partnership with the Taliban and is encouraging regional cooperation with Afghanistan. The Taliban regained power in August 2021 after the fall of the U.S.-backed government led by President Ashraf Ghani. In 2021, President Vladimir Putin acknowledged the possibility of reclassifying the Taliban, and in 2024, he referred to them as "allies in the fight against terrorism."
Experts suggest that Russia's recognition of the Taliban government is more symbolic than driven by economic interests. Shoigu has called for Western nations to unfreeze Afghan assets and recognize their responsibilities following two decades of military presence in Afghanistan. He emphasized the importance of a pragmatic dialogue with the Taliban that encompasses security, trade, culture, and humanitarian support.
