Russia invites Afghanistan’s Taliban to major economic forum

 

Russia has extended an invitation to Afghanistan's Taliban to participate in its largest annual economic forum, a move indicating Moscow's efforts to lift the ban on the Islamist group. Despite the Taliban being officially outlawed in Russia, the country has been gradually establishing ties with them since the group took power in August 2021 following the withdrawal of US-led forces after two decades of conflict.

Zamir Kabulov, director of the Second Asia Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, revealed that Russia's foreign and justice ministries have briefed President Vladimir Putin on the matter of lifting the ban. While some uncertainties persist, Kabulov confirmed that the Taliban has been invited to attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum scheduled for June 5-8.

Kabulov noted that Afghan leaders have traditionally shown interest in procuring oil products. The St. Petersburg forum, once frequented by Western CEOs and investment bankers from cities like London and New York, has seen a transformation due to the Ukraine conflict, which has severely strained Russia's relations with the West.

With Western investors now largely absent, the forum has seen increased participation from businesses in China, India, Africa, and the Middle East. The Taliban, whose name translates to "students" in Pashto, emerged in 1994 during Afghanistan's civil war, which ensued after the Soviet Union's withdrawal and the subsequent collapse of the government. Initially composed of former "mujahideen" fighters who had received US support in repelling Soviet forces in the 1980s, the Taliban was formally designated a terrorist organization by Russia in 2003, though sporadic informal contacts had been maintained.