A high-level Taliban delegation, led by Abdul Ghani Baradar deputy prime minister for economic affairs traveled to Russia on Wednesday to participate in the 16th Kazan Forum, a prominent economic summit bringing together Russian officials and representatives from the Islamic world.
Baradar is accompanied by Taliban commerce minister Nooruddin Azizi and other senior figures, according to an official statement. The delegation is expected to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the forum with officials from participating countries.
The United Nations Security Council granted an eight-day travel exemption—from May 12 to 19—for five senior Taliban leaders, allowing them to attend the event despite being on the UN sanctions list. In addition to Baradar, the approved individuals include Hedayatullah Badri (minister of mines), Abdul Latif Mansoor (minister of energy and water), Hamidullah Akhund, and Khairullah Khairkhwa.
Hosted in the Russian republic of Tatarstan, the Kazan Forum aims to strengthen economic cooperation between Russia and Muslim-majority nations. Taliban officials have framed their participation as part of broader efforts to expand Afghanistan’s regional trade and economic ties.
This trip comes amid a surge in diplomatic outreach by the Taliban. Concurrently, Abdul Latif Mansoor and Abdul Wasi, chief of staff to the Taliban’s prime minister, are in Uzbekistan for high-level meetings. Their visit includes participation in Uzbekistan’s International Energy Week and the symbolic presentation of Afghan marble for a religious shrine.
The increasing frequency of foreign visits by Taliban officials—many of whom remain under international sanctions—has raised concerns among human rights organizations and political analysts. Observers say these trips reflect growing momentum toward de facto diplomatic engagement, despite the Taliban’s continued lack of formal recognition nearly four years after returning to power.
