Meetings between Russian officials and Taliban authorities

Russia has been engaging with the Taliban through various diplomatic channels, notably the Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan, a multilateral platform established in 2017. 

This format includes Russia, China, India, Iran, and several Central Asian countries, aiming to promote regional stability and address issues related to Afghanistan.​  In October 2024, the Russian Foreign Minister met with the Taliban's acting Foreign Minister in Moscow. 

The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation, particularly in areas such as energy, agriculture, and counter-terrorism efforts. Following this meeting, both officials participated in the sixth Moscow Format Consultations, which were held behind closed doors and excluded observer nations.​