Taliban Defense Chief Yaqub Mujahid Meets Russian Security Official in Moscow

Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqub Mujahid, acting Defense Minister of the Taliban administration, met with the Secretary of the Russian Security Council on the sidelines of the International Security Conference in Moscow. According to the ministry’s statement, the two sides discussed bilateral cooperation and several important topics of mutual interest.

No further details about the main points of the discussions have been released. However, this meeting comes as the Taliban administration seeks to expand its political and security relations with regional countries — an effort marked by questions regarding the framework and transparency of such engagements, given the absence of official international recognition.

In a separate report, the acting Defense Minister also met with a number of Afghans residing in Russia at the Afghan embassy in Moscow and extended his greetings for the upcoming Eid holiday.

Afghan residents in Russia expressed their appreciation for his visit. Mr. Mujahid assured them that the Taliban administration is working to address problems and achieve self-sufficiency, describing Afghanistan as “a shared home for all Afghans.” Nonetheless, some critics continue to emphasize that ensuring fundamental rights and inclusive participation of all groups remains a prerequisite for establishing such a shared national environment.