Russia Urges Global Dialogue with Taliban at UN Security Council
Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, called on the international community to engage in dialogue with the Taliban, despite widespread sanctions against the group. Speaking at a recent UN Security Council session, Nebenzia noted that the Taliban is striving to enhance regional relations and turn Afghanistan into a self-reliant state. He urged world powers to adopt a realistic and comprehensive policy toward Afghanistan, asserting that trust-based engagement is the only way to address the country’s ongoing crises.
He added that Moscow is closely monitoring developments related to the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan—one that includes all ethnic groups and political factions. Emphasizing the need for direct engagement, Nebenzia stated that the global community must speak with those who currently hold power in the country.
Nebenzia also accused Western nations of ignoring on-the-ground realities in Afghanistan, criticizing some donors for continuing to speak to the Taliban in a condescending tone. He warned that as long as inclusive dialogue remains absent, progress toward stability in the country would remain slow.
The Russian envoy voiced concern over the growing threat posed by the Islamic State’s Khorasan branch (ISIS-K), which he said is exploiting the Taliban’s inability to effectively combat terrorism, thereby fueling instability in Afghanistan and the broader region. He cautioned that foreign fighters with battlefield experience in Syria and Iraq are increasingly joining terrorist factions in Afghanistan.
Nebenzia further expressed alarm over the lingering presence of NATO weapons in the country and the rising production of synthetic drugs within Afghanistan, calling this trend a new threat to regional security. He stressed the importance of the Taliban respecting human rights and said that attention to human rights must be a fundamental part of international engagement with Afghanistan.
These remarks come after Russia officially recognized the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan in 2025, raising the group’s flag over the Afghan embassy in Moscow. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the move aimed to deepen cooperation in security, energy, and infrastructure. However, observers have criticized the decision as controversial, arguing that it legitimizes a regime widely condemned for widespread human rights violations, especially against women and minorities.
