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Russia Hosts Taliban Talks as It Seeks Regional Influence

Since U.S. forces pulled out of Kabul in 2021, Russia and China have taken advantage of the vacuum, holding talks with the Taliban despite deep ideological...

Two Russian Embassy Staff Killed in Kabul Bombing: Foreign Ministry

A spokesperson for the Afghan Interior Ministry said the Russian embassy was deliberately targeted.

Russia Will Work to 'Normalize' Afghanistan – Putin

"We are trying to build relations with the political forces that control the situation," Putin said during a visit to Tajikistan.

flight to safety

Russia Evacuates More Citizens From Taliban-Controlled Afghanistan

The Defense Ministry will deliver 36 metric tons of humanitarian aid on the evacuation planes.

call for engagement

Russia Urges West to Engage With Taliban

The Russian presidential envoy to Afghanistan said the European Union would be right to re-open its mission in the country.

DIPLOMATIC TALKS

Russia Lauds Taliban Efforts to Stabilize Afghanistan, Warns on Terrorism

Russia is hosting high-level talks with the Taliban and officials from a number of other countries, including China and Pakistan.

INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY

Russia Hosts Taliban for Talks After Warning Against IS Threat

Moscow is hosting talks with the Taliban and officials from 10 countries including China and Pakistan.

IS Fighters Massing in Afghanistan, Says Putin Ahead of Talks

The United States, China and Pakistan will join talks on the Taliban takeover on Tuesday, the Kremlin's envoy to Afghanistan said.

at the negotiating table

Russia Invites Taliban for Afghan Talks

The Kremlin's envoy to Afghanistan also said that Russia plans to send humanitarian aid to the country.

seeking assurances

China and Russia Urge Taliban to Keep Security Promises

Moscow and Beijing have moved to assert themselves as key players in Central Asia after the hasty U.S. retreat from Afghanistan.

competing to help

Security Blocs Led by Russia, China Meet on Afghanistan

Moscow and Beijing have moved to assert themselves as key players in the region after the United States' retreat from Afghanistan.

cautious optimism

Putin Hopes Afghanistan’s Taliban Will Be ‘Civilized'

"Russia is not interested in the disintegration of Afghanistan," Putin said.

Putin Says U.S. Presence in Afghanistan Ended in 'Tragedies'

Putin said the U.S. army tried to "engrain their norms" in Afghanistan for two decades, which he characterized as a futile exercise.

humanitarian operations

Moscow Welcomes Macron's Call for Kabul 'Safe Zone'

Macron's comments came as international efforts to airlift foreign national and vulnerable Afghans come to an end.

Russia Warns West Against Blocking Afghanistan’s Gold Reserves

Russia’s presidential envoy to Afghanistan warned that such a move would ultimately harm ordinary Afghans.

picket interrupted

Russians Fined for Protest in Support of Afghan Women

The two activists were fined 200,000 rubles ($2,670) each for "violating public order."

heightened tensions

Kremlin ‘Condemns’ Deadly Kabul Attacks

"Unfortunately, the pessimistic forecasts ... are being confirmed," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Friends or Foes?

Taliban Rule Will Be a 'Threat' to Russia and the World, Top Panjshir Resistance Member Warns

In an interview with The Moscow Times, the anti-Taliban National Resistance Front has urged Russia to prioritize an inclusive Afghanistan.

Russia to Supply Weapons to Afghanistan’s Neighbors

Countries in ex-Soviet Central Asia, where Moscow holds military bases, have raised concerns over the Taliban sweeping to power.

Russia-China partnership

Putin, Xi Agree to Jointly Combat Afghanistan ‘Threats'

The two leaders also spoke of the "importance of establishing peace" in Afghanistan and "preventing the spread of instability," the Kremlin said.

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