Russian Deputy Prime Minister Overchuk visited Kabul leading a 70-member business delegation and held trade and investment talks with the Taliban government.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Overchuk arrived in Kabul on Thursday leading a 70-member business delegation and received an honor guard welcome. He held talks with the Taliban government's Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund, economic affairs Deputy Prime Minister Baradar and Foreign Minister Muttaqi.
According to a statement by the Afghan government, Baradar described the country's economic and investment potential, called for investment in areas including agriculture, mining, roads, railways and factory construction, and proposed establishing special economic zones. He also expressed an intention to expand exports of local agricultural products to the Russian market.
He called on Russian companies to cooperate in facilitating access for Afghan products to the Russian market and reducing transportation and transit costs. Russian news agencies reported that the delegation consisted of companies already operating in Afghanistan, with many more seeking to enter the local market in the future.
Overchuk said trade between Russia and Afghanistan had more than doubled in the first eight months of 2026 and was expected to exceed $349 million.
Russia formally recognized the Taliban government in July 2025, making it the only country to have done so to date.