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ISLAMABAD, October 20, 2026: Russia has offered to help ease tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan as relations between the two neighbours remain strained over cross-border terrorism.
Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Albert Khorev expressed Moscow’s willingness to help during a roundtable discussion on Pakistan-Russia relations at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) on Monday.
Khorev voiced concern over the deteriorating ties between Islamabad and Kabul. He also warned that the continued closure of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border was disrupting Pakistan’s trade links with Central Asia and Russia.
The ambassador expressed hope that the border would reopen and tensions would ease.
Khorev revealed that tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan featured prominently during Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev’s visit to Islamabad last week.
Kolokoltsev became the first Russian interior minister to visit Pakistan. During his trip, he held talks with civilian and military leaders, including Field Marshal Asim Munir.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Intelligence Service chief Sergei Naryshkin visited Kabul for talks with senior Taliban officials. A senior Russian Security Council official also travelled to New Delhi for consultations.
These visits suggest that Moscow is increasing its diplomatic engagement across South Asia and Afghanistan as regional security concerns intensify.
Russia’s potential role is particularly significant because Moscow has developed close political and security ties with the Taliban-led administration.
Last year, Russia became the first country to formally recognise the Taliban government in Afghanistan. In May 2026, the two sides also signed a military-technical cooperation arrangement, although its full details remain undisclosed.
Despite its close engagement with Kabul, Russia has sometimes taken a different approach from Pakistan on Afghanistan.
Those differences emerged during the Moscow Format consultations earlier this month. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov praised the Taliban-led administration, while Pakistan pressed Kabul to take concrete action against the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The meeting ended without a joint communique. Pakistan later said the Afghan side had not accepted the proposed language concerning terrorist networks operating from its territory.
Islamabad accuses the Taliban authorities of allowing the TTP to use Afghan soil to plan and launch attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul denies the allegation.
Pakistan has repeatedly called for concrete and verifiable action against militant groups before meaningful dialogue can move forward.
Despite these differences, Islamabad has indicated that it would welcome constructive diplomatic efforts from friendly countries.
At a weekly briefing on Thursday, Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said Pakistan valued its engagement with Russia on Afghanistan and regional security.
He clarified that the Foreign Office was not aware of any separate, formal Russian mediation initiative. However, he said Pakistan would welcome sincere efforts to address its security concerns.
“Such efforts should be meaningful and yield tangible progress,” the spokesperson said.
He added that progress ultimately depended on concrete and verifiable action by the Taliban against terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan.
The remarks leave the door open for Moscow to contribute to easing tensions, although no formal mediation process has been confirmed.
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Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, also addressed the ISSI discussion. He called for stronger bilateral relations and the removal of practical barriers affecting cooperation.
On trade and connectivity, Tirmizi highlighted the need for easier visa procedures, direct flights and solutions to banking and payment difficulties.
He also outlined preparations for a bilateral business forum, including advance meetings between companies. In addition, he discussed transport routes connecting Pakistan with Russia through Iran, Afghanistan and China.
Tirmizi called for stronger university partnerships and greater student mobility. He also highlighted opportunities for cooperation in science, engineering and agriculture.
Furthermore, he encouraged Russian-language education, cultural exchanges and closer links between the two countries’ media and creative industries.
Pakistan and Russia have expanded their engagement in recent years across trade, energy, connectivity and security.
Earlier in 2026, the two countries agreed to work towards an economic cooperation programme extending through 2030. Officials have also discussed rail links connecting Pakistan with Russia and Central Asia.
Moscow’s latest diplomatic activity comes as Islamabad seeks regional support to persuade the Taliban authorities to address Pakistan’s security concerns.
Russia’s offer could create an additional diplomatic channel between Islamabad and Kabul. However, any meaningful progress will depend on whether the parties can bridge their differences over cross-border militancy and agree on practical steps to improve security.
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