Afghanistan to sign multiple agreements with Russia, including oil, gas, and grain transit deals

Afghanistan and Russia are on the verge of signing a major agreement to transport 50 million cubic meters of liquefied natural gas (LNG) through Afghanistan, according to Rustam Khabibullin, the head of the Russian Business Centre in Afghanistan.

Khabibullin shared the news in an interview with Russian media, revealing that the deal is expected to be finalized during the upcoming KazanForum 2025, Caliber.Az reports.

“At the upcoming KazanForum 2025, Afghanistan intends to sign a contract for the transit of 50 million cubic metres of Russian gas through its territory to Southeast Asia,” Khabibullin explained. He noted that gas carriers have already been used to carry out test shipments of the LNG, ensuring the feasibility of the plan.

Khabibullin also pointed out that Afghanistan and Russia have a history of cooperation, with previous agreements already in place. "In 2023, a contract was signed for the annual transit of 50 million tonnes of Russian oil products, and in 2024, we signed an agreement for the transit of 2 million tonnes of Russian wheat and flour," he added.

Earlier, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the deputy prime minister for economic affairs of the Taliban's interim government, expressed hopes that Russia would assist Afghanistan in mitigating the pressures imposed by the US and other Western nations. “As you know, after the victory of the Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan, the US and Western countries are putting all kinds of pressure on us. So we are waiting for the Russian Federation to help us neutralize this pressure,” Baradar said, emphasizing Afghanistan's strategic partnership with Russia.

Baradar also highlighted the Taliban's efforts to boost the country's exports and attract foreign investment, ensuring Afghanistan remains a reliable economic partner. "As a result of the Taliban's efforts, the Islamic State in the country has been destroyed and moved to other countries," he proudly stated.

By Tamilla Hasanova