The Minister of Defense of the Taliban government, Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, has stated following his visit to Russia and participation in the Moscow International Security Conference that the practical implementation of the military-technical cooperation agreement between Afghanistan and Russia will begin in the near future.
Speaking to journalists at Kabul International Airport, he said that the Afghan delegation traveled to Russia upon official invitation from Moscow and participated in an important international security conference. According to him, Afghanistan was among the limited number of countries that were given the opportunity to speak at the event.
Mujahid emphasized that the agreement signed with Russia is a military-technical cooperation accord and should not be considered a defense or security pact. He added that the implementation process of the agreement will begin in the coming days, and further discussions will be held regarding its execution mechanisms.
According to the Defense Minister, the aim of the agreement is to enhance the maintenance, repair, and technical capacity related to Afghanistan’s military equipment. He noted that a significant portion of Afghanistan’s military assets, including aircraft, helicopters, and other equipment, are of Russian origin and require technical support for effective use.
He further stated that Afghanistan also possesses military equipment from other countries, including the United States and Brazil, and that similar cooperation agreements could be signed with these countries if there is mutual interest and necessity.
Mujahid stressed that Afghanistan’s national interests are the foundation of any agreement and no deal will be signed that contradicts the country’s interests.
Regarding possible concerns from Pakistan, he said that Afghanistan continues its efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities in order to ensure national security and improve its ability to respond to any potential threats.
