Russia hosts consultations on Afghanistan, including with a Taliban delegation

MOSCOW -- Russia on Monday hosted a round of consultations on Afghanistan that included a delegation of the country's ruling Taliban government, along with representatives of China, India, Iran, Pakistan and other nations.Welcoming the Taliban's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov congratulated him on "the fifth anniversary of Afghanistan’s liberation from the NATO contingent.”“Five years is a short time to overcome the consequences of many decades of occupation, yet your government’s achievements are evident, and we welcome them,” Lavrov said. He hailed the Taliban's successes in combating the Islamic State group and other extremists, and efforts to eradicate drug trafficking.Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021 after the pullback of U.S. and NATO forces, they have sought international recognition while also enforcing their strict interpretation of Islamic law.In July 2025, Russia became the first country to recognize the Taliban’s government after removing the group from its list of outlawed organizations.Speaking during Monday’s talks, Lavrov said that “the powerful military machine of the United States and...