Russia Hosts Taliban Delegation at Moscow Format Meeting, Warns Against Foreign Military Presence

Moscow Hosts Key Regional Talks

The Russian Federation recently convened the 7th Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan in its capital, Moscow, on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. The high-level meeting saw the participation of a delegation from Afghanistan's ruling Taliban government, marking a significant step in regional diplomatic engagement. This was the first time an Afghan delegation, led by Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, attended the consultations as a full member.

Warning Against Foreign Military Presence

During the international meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov delivered a stern warning against any foreign military presence in Afghanistan or its neighboring states. Lavrov stated that 'the deployment of military infrastructure of any third countries on the territory of Afghanistan, as well as on the territories of neighboring states, is categorically unacceptable under any pretext.' He emphasized that any 'extra-regional military presence' would only lead to new instability, drawing lessons from Afghanistan's history. This statement followed reports of former U.S. President Donald Trump's interest in retaking Bagram Air Base.

Taliban's Stance and Regional Cooperation

In response to Russia's concerns, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi affirmed that Afghanistan's territory would not host any military presence from other countries 'under any circumstances,' specifically mentioning the former U.S. airbase at Bagram. Muttaqi praised Russia's 'bold move' in formally recognizing the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in July 2025, a decision that saw Russia remove the Taliban from its list of banned organizations.

The consultations, which included representatives from India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus as a guest, focused on a range of critical issues:

• Efforts to combat Islamic State militants and curb narcotics trafficking.
• Discussions on regional security and economic development.
• The provision of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.
• The need for Afghanistan to ensure its territory is not used as a base to threaten neighboring states.

Lavrov also expressed Russia's interest in expanding business and energy cooperation with Afghanistan and deepening joint efforts against terrorism and drug trafficking.

Background of the Moscow Format

The Moscow Format, established by Russia in 2017, serves as a crucial regional dialogue platform. Its primary objectives include facilitating Afghanistan's political settlement, addressing security challenges, and coordinating humanitarian efforts. The latest meeting underscored the participants' unwavering support for an independent, united, and peaceful Afghanistan, while also urging stronger regional cooperation in trade, investment, and connectivity.