Afghanistan and Russia are working to expand the presence of Afghan products in Russian markets, according to Taliban-appointed Afghan Ambassador to Moscow Gul Hassan Hassan.
Speaking at the ninth International Forum “North Caucasus: Space for Dialogue, Traditions and Development,” Hassan said there were numerous opportunities between Afghanistan and Russia that had not yet been fully developed.
The ambassador said the two sides were working to create more favorable conditions for Afghan businesspeople seeking Russian visas, while also developing, promoting and expanding markets for Afghan products across Russia.
Hassan also highlighted Russia’s North Caucasus region as a potential channel for increasing Russian consumers’ access to Afghan goods. He said the region could contribute to strengthening bilateral economic cooperation.
The comments come as economic and commercial engagement between Moscow and the Taliban has expanded. Russia formally recognized the Taliban authorities in July 2025, becoming the first country to do so since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Moscow said at the time that recognition was intended to support broader bilateral cooperation, including trade and economic ties.
The two countries have also taken steps to expand commercial engagement. In May 2025, officials from Afghanistan and Russia held their first bilateral business forum in Kazan, where Russian officials discussed potential cooperation in trade, transport, agriculture, infrastructure and other sectors. Russian customs officials also indicated that Moscow was prepared to facilitate increased imports of Afghan agricultural products.
Despite the growing economic engagement, expanding bilateral trade still depends on practical issues such as banking channels, visa procedures, transport links and regional security. The latest comments therefore point to an effort to move beyond political engagement and develop more accessible commercial channels for Afghan exporters.
For Afghanistan, greater access to the Russian market could provide additional opportunities for exporters, particularly in agricultural products. Whether those opportunities translate into substantially higher trade will depend on how effectively the two sides address the financial, logistical and regulatory barriers that continue to affect cross-border commerce.
