RASC News Agency: Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s special envoy to Afghanistan and a prominent advocate of the Taliban, stated in a recent interview with a Russian media outlet that despite the absence of official recognition of the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan, Russia continues to maintain cordial relations with the group, primarily driven by economic cooperation. Kabulov remarked, “Political relations with the Taliban persist, but there exists a legal tradition that necessitates formal recognition. In my personal view, this issue is not far from resolution.”
He emphasized that the Taliban has been the only force in the last two decades capable of effectively countering terrorist groups, particularly ISIS. According to Kabulov, during the U.S. and NATO’s presence in Afghanistan, the number of ISIS militants reached around 12,000. However, with the Taliban in power, this number has significantly decreased to an estimated 2,000 to 4,000.
Kabulov further highlighted that since taking control, the Taliban have distanced themselves from the ideology of “global jihad,” refocusing their efforts on domestic and national objectives. He underscored the shared interest between Russia and the Taliban in combating terrorism and stressed the possibility of bilateral cooperation in this area.
It is worth noting that Kabulov, following figures like Zalmay Khalilzad and other American lobbyists, is regarded as one of the Taliban’s most influential supporters in the region. Official sources reveal that he owns multiple fuel and gas stations in Kabul and maintains close business relationships with figures such as Alokozay and Kamal Nabi Zada.
