KABUL(BNA) Zamir Kabulov, Russian Foreign Ministry advisor and President Putin’s special envoy for Afghanistan, has confirmed that Afghanistan will participate as a full member in the next Moscow Format consultative meeting, scheduled for September or October 2025.
Kabulov made the remarks to TASS news agency following a UN-led working group on Afghanistan in Doha, Qatar. While the exact date has yet to be finalized, he said tradition dictates the Moscow Format will convene in autumn 2025, with Afghanistan taking part as a full member.
He added that discussions on the agenda and joint actions have already taken place with Russia’s ambassador Dmitry Zhirnov and regional allies.
Kabulov described the Islamic Emirate as Russia’s “real ally” in the fight against terrorism and called for comprehensive support for Kabul, noting the Emirate’s unprecedented campaign against ISIS as a credible contribution to global counterterrorism efforts.
He highlighted strong security coordination between Moscow and Kabul, and praised the Islamic Emirate for safeguarding the Russian embassy.
Kabulov also urged the United States and European Union to unfreeze Afghanistan’s assets, emphasizing that Afghan issues are solved not through conferences but through practical assistance. He called on the U.S. to release roughly $10 billion in Afghan funds and for Europe to return $2.5 billion currently frozen in Swiss banks under the guise of humanitarian aid.
He further stated that Afghanistan’s security situation has improved since the Western withdrawal. Following the Russian Supreme Court’s decision to lift the ban on the Islamic Emirate’s activities, Moscow is working to expand official ties with Kabul and open a new chapter of bilateral cooperation.
Meanwhile, Mawlawi Gul Hassan Hassan, the newly appointed ambassador and special representative of the Afghan Taliban to the Russian Federation, officially took office following an introductory meeting with embassy staff in Moscow.
According to the Foreign Ministry’s press office, Ambassador Hassan stressed his commitment to advancing embassy affairs with full dedication and close cooperation with his team.
The ministry called Russia’s official acceptance of the ambassador a significant step toward strengthening bilateral relations and expressed hope that this move will further expand political, economic, and other forms of cooperation between the two countries
