Taliban Defense Delegation Visits Moscow for Unflagged Meeting with Russian Officials

For the first time, a delegation from the Taliban’s Ministry of Defense has traveled to Moscow to hold talks with officials of the Russian Federation. The delegation, led by Mohammad Qasim Farid, Deputy of Strategy and Policy at the Taliban Ministry of Defense, was received by the Russian Ministry of Defense.

This visit is part of new interactions between Moscow and the Taliban administration; these engagements have drawn the attention of regional and international observers following Russia’s statements regarding the recognition of the Taliban. However, details of the discussions and the specific agenda of the meeting have not been officially disclosed.

A notable point in the published images from the meeting is the absence of the so-called “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan” flag at the venue, raising questions about the level and official framework of this interaction.

Critics believe that such visits, lacking transparency regarding the agenda and accountability of the Taliban administration concerning human rights conditions and the non-elective power structure in Afghanistan, serve more to reinforce the unilateral position of the Taliban rather than benefit the people.