Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, leader of Afghanistan’s Hezb-e Islami party, has called on Afghans to unite in the face of what he describes as renewed external threats and potential geopolitical manoeuvring over Afghanistan.
In a statement shared on the social media platform X, Hekmatyar warned that failure to adopt a unified national stance could result in fragmentation, chaos, and renewed conflict.
Citing reports and comments from Russian and American officials, Hekmatyar claimed that Moscow and Washington are exploring a potential agreement in which the United States would cede Ukraine to Russia in exchange for regaining access to Bagram Airfield and the recovery of leftover American weapons in Afghanistan.
He referred to statements from Russia’s Foreign Minister indicating Moscow’s openness to dialogue with Washington on Afghanistan, and noted that discussions between the two countries on this issue reportedly continued until 2022. Hekmatyar also mentioned remarks by Russia’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, who stated that Bagram Airfield held no special importance for Moscow, a claim Hekmatyar views as strategic posturing ahead of possible negotiations.
Pointing to growing concern in Russia, Pakistan, and India about American arms left behind in Afghanistan, Hekmatyar argued that Moscow’s interest in resuming dialogue with the US is part of a broader effort to reach a deal involving Ukraine, Afghanistan, and strategic infrastructure such as Bagram.
He suggested that US President Donald Trump’s public stance on Ukraine, as well as his reported attitude toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, hinted at Washington’s willingness to make such a trade-off. “Statements by Russian officials indicate that Moscow is fully prepared for such a deal,” he wrote.
Hekmatyar also warned that the Taliban’s decision to join China’s air corridor initiative could trigger a regional backlash involving the United States, India, and Iran. He claimed this move undermines the Chabahar Port development project, a joint venture between Iran and India, and contradicts Washington’s expectations that the Taliban would avoid aligning with US adversaries.
He further speculated that countries such as Pakistan, India, Iran, and Russia could ultimately cooperate with the United States on Afghanistan, much like during the US-led occupation, in an effort to reclaim influence over strategic assets such as Bagram Airfield.
“These threats are real, not imaginary or born of illusion. They have happened before and may happen again,” Hekmatyar warned, stating that Afghanistan now stands on the threshold of a new and potentially perilous phase.
In a plea for national solidarity, he posed a stark question: “Are we prepared to confront these threats, or will some surrender tomorrow, some flee to the mountains, and others escape abroad in moments of crisis?”
Concluding his statement, Hekmatyar urged Afghans to reflect on past experiences and to adopt a unified strategy to face emerging geopolitical risks. “We must have learned many lessons from our history,” he wrote.
