Lavrov Says NATO Base in Afghanistan ‘Completely Unacceptable’ for Moscow

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, speaking at the Moscow Format meeting, said Moscow firmly opposes the establishment of NATO military facilities inside Afghanistan or in neighbouring countries, calling them unacceptable to Russia “in no way.”

At the same meeting, Lavrov also claimed that the “Islamic Emirate” has taken power across Afghanistan and is governing the country effectively. He made these remarks explicitly and presented them as Russia’s official position during the meeting.

Moscow’s clear stance against NATO bases and its implicit acceptance of the political situation in Afghanistan could affect regional geopolitical rivalries and diplomatic processes, and is likely to further complicate the role of foreign actors in shaping Afghanistan’s security and political future.

The Moscow Format is a multilateral meeting framework that addresses issues related to Afghanistan. Lavrov’s comments were made within that context, underscoring that Russia’s position on Western military presence in the region remains hard-line and inflexible.