- The military-technical cooperation agreement between Russia and Afghanistan was signed on May 27, 2026, during the International Security Forum held in the Moscow region.
MOSCOW, May 27, 2026 (Agencies) – Afghanistan and Russia signed a military-technical cooperation agreement during the International Security Forum held in the Moscow region.
The agreement was signed by Afghan Defense Minister Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid and Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu during a ceremony attended by senior officials from both sides.
While the full details of the accord were not officially disclosed, military-technical cooperation agreements generally include arms cooperation, military training, logistics support, maintenance, technology transfer and possible joint defense projects. Analysts say the deal may pave the way for broader security coordination between the two countries.
Speaking at the event, Yaqoob said Afghanistan values its historical relations with Russia and seeks to further strengthen bilateral cooperation. Sergei Shoigu, meanwhile, said Moscow supports a “united, independent and peaceful Afghanistan” and praised the Taliban authorities for efforts against terrorism and narcotics-related crimes.
The agreement comes amid rapidly expanding contacts between Russia and the Taliban administration since the group returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Russia removed the Taliban from its list of banned organizations in 2025 and later became the first country to formally recognize the Taliban-led government.
Regional analysts believe Russia is seeking closer security coordination with Afghanistan due to concerns over militant groups such as ???? ?????? (ISIS-K) and to strengthen its influence in Central Asia after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Experts also note that Moscow may be interested in Afghanistan’s strategic location and mineral resources.
However, some observers described the agreement as largely symbolic at this stage, noting that Russia’s military and economic commitments remain constrained because of the ongoing Ukraine war and Western sanctions.