Zia Ahmad Takal, Deputy Spokesperson of the Taliban's Foreign Ministry, announced the strengthening of diplomatic relations between the Taliban and Moscow.

In an interview with the Taliban-run Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA), Takal revealed that the Taliban and Russia are enhancing their political and economic ties.

This development comes as Moscow recently hosted a gathering of prominent Taliban opponents. The meeting, titled "Afghanistan between the past and the future," took place last Thursday under the auspices of Sergey Mironov, leader of the Just Russia Party, known for its close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Among the attendees were Ahmad Massoud, leader of the National Resistance Front (NRF); Mohammad Mohaqiq, leader of the Afghan People's Unity Party; Mahmoud Saiqal, former Afghan representative to the United Nations; Fazl Ahmad Manawi, ex-Minister of Justice of Afghanistan; Zahir Agbar, current Afghan ambassador to Tajikistan; and several other notable figures. In his address, the NRF leader lamented that Afghanistan has become "Talibanistan.”

Following the Moscow meeting, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with Dmitry Zhirnov, the Russian ambassador in Kabul. The Taliban's Foreign Ministry stated that this meeting focused on discussing political and economic relations between Afghanistan and Russia, as well as recent regional and international events.

While Russia has not officially recognised the Taliban, it has permitted a number of the group's diplomats in Moscow. Russia has consistently advocated for the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan and stressed that the country should not serve as a safe haven for terrorists.