Plans and economy: Russia's projects in Afghanistan are nearing implementation
Normalization of the situation in Afghanistan became the main topic of the meeting of the special representatives of the neighboring states of the Islamic Emirate in Tehran. In Kabul, they emphasize their readiness to expand cooperation with Moscow. Afghanistan's Ambassador to Russia Hassan Gull Hassan, in an interview with Izvestia, assessed the cooperation between the two countries as excellent. He sees success in various fields, including politics and security. The diplomat noted that a number of projects are at the stage of preparation for implementation, and the infrastructure agreements signed at the Russia — Islamic World: KazanForum forum are now awaiting implementation.
Kabul expects the implementation of Russian projects
A regional meeting on Afghanistan was held in Tehran over the weekend, attended by special representatives from Russia, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The Russian Federation was represented by Zamir Kabulov. The main topic was the coordination of regional approaches to ensuring stability and normalizing the situation in the Islamic Emirate. Stability in it is of strategic interest to the entire region, and the participants of the meeting advocate deepening coordination between Afghanistan and neighboring states, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said following the meeting. Against this background, Kabul is counting on the progressive development of cooperation with Moscow.
— I rate the cooperation between our countries as excellent in various fields, including political and security. Indeed, there are infrastructure projects that are being prepared for implementation," Hassan Gull Hassan, Afghanistan's ambassador to Russia, told Izvestia.
Afghan Ambassador to Russia Hassan Gull Hassan
He added that several infrastructure agreements were signed at the Russia—Islamic World: KazanForum forum last year, and now the Afghan side is waiting for further practical steps to implement the agreements reached.
Indeed, economic cooperation remains one of the key areas on the bilateral agenda. This year, Afghanistan has signed short-term contracts with Russian companies for the supply of petroleum products and oil.
In addition, a memorandum on the development of a bilateral multimodal communication was signed within the framework of KazanForum, which involves Russia's participation in the formation of the transport infrastructure of the Islamic Emirate. Earlier, Kabul also expressed interest in negotiations with Moscow on the establishment of a logistics center in Herat province and the involvement of Russian companies in the restoration of infrastructure.
In addition to the agreements signed at the forum, the Trans-Afghan Railway project stands out among the promising infrastructure initiatives. As Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk reported in May, Russia and Uzbekistan are already conducting survey work in Afghanistan and are jointly preparing an economic feasibility study for the project, which is scheduled to be completed by early 2026. The highway is supposed to connect Afghanistan with Pakistan, and construction will take at least five years.
Omar Nessar, a senior researcher at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, believes that trade projects that do not require long-term investments and involve rapid turnover of goods and funds are the least risky and most realistic. In addition, individual production projects in Afghanistan with subsequent export of products to neighboring countries or to Russia may be promising. The expert also sees opportunities for cooperation in the field of agriculture.
Is it safe in Afghanistan now
Security issues remain a key element of the regional agenda around Afghanistan and directly affect the prospects for economic cooperation, including Russian projects. This is the topic that was the main focus of the meeting of representatives of Afghanistan's neighboring States.
This year, Russia first removed the Taliban from the list of terrorist organizations, and later became the first in the world to officially recognize the movement's authority in Afghanistan. During the regional consultations on the settlement, the need to create an inclusive ethno-political government is also emphasized. This approach is considered as one of the conditions for sustainable stabilization and expansion of international cooperation with Kabul.
Amir Khan Mottaki, Minister of Foreign Affairs in the interim Government of Afghanistan formed by the Taliban movement, after the seventh meeting of the Moscow format of consultations on Afghanistan in Moscow. October 7, 2025
Following the meeting, the Iranian side stated that stability in the country is possible only if there is no external interference, recalling the negative consequences of the long-term presence of NATO and US forces.
Despite the overall improvement in the domestic situation, external and cross-border risks remain. In particular, instability in the Afghan-Pakistani direction continues to put pressure on the security situation. Armed clashes broke out between the sides in the autumn, but later Kabul and Islamabad agreed on a ceasefire in Doha. Nevertheless, the threat of escalation remains, which directly affects the investment climate and regional trade.
Funerals of those killed as a result of a Pakistani airstrike on an apartment building in the Afghan province of Khost. November 25, 2025
At the same time, Omar Nessar notes that, in general, the level of security inside Afghanistan has increased recently and the conditions for economic activity have become more favorable. However, according to him, this factor is not enough to launch long-term infrastructure projects.
— The key influence on the prospects of such initiatives is exerted not only by security issues, but also by the status of the current government, as well as the lack of a well-formed legislative framework. The continuing legal vacuum and uncertainty in the country's economic development reduce the predictability of conditions for investors," the expert told Izvestia.
Moscow has repeatedly noted that the level of security in Afghanistan has increased significantly in recent years, but there are still enough problems in the country. At the same time, the Russian authorities believe that the stabilization of the situation opens up opportunities for launching major transport and energy projects. In the future, they can become drivers of the socio-economic development of Afghanistan and the entire region.
The fight against international terrorism remains one of the priorities of the Islamic Emirate. The Russian leadership also noted that the current Afghan authorities are taking measures to normalize the situation.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
