World News

Moscow convenes regional talks on Afghanistan with Taliban delegates

Russian officials welcomed regional representatives and offered mediation amid escalating Afghan-Pakistani border tensions.

Updated Oct 5, 2026 · 20:31 UTC2 reports

The short version

Russia gathered a Taliban delegation and officials from regional states including China, India, Iran, and Pakistan for consultations in Moscow.[ABC News · Associated Press]
Pakistani envoy Mohammad Sadiq alleged that cross-border terrorism tied to Taliban complicity caused over 4,700 deaths in Pakistan across three years.[Associated Press]
Russian envoy Zamir Kabulov indicated Moscow is prepared to mediate and resolve the Afghan-Pakistani conflict if both sides request assistance.[ABC News · Associated Press]

Moscow held consultations on Afghanistan involving a Taliban government delegation alongside officials from China, India, Iran, Pakistan, and other countries.[ABC News · Associated Press]
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov congratulated Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on five years since Afghanistan's liberation from NATO forces.[ABC News · Associated Press]
Russia was the first nation to formally recognize the Taliban government in July 2025 following its delisting as an outlawed entity.[ABC News · Associated Press]
Pakistani envoy Mohammad Sadiq claimed more than 4,700 Pakistani citizens died over the past three years from Afghan-based terrorism, alleging Taliban complicity.[Associated Press]
Russian special envoy Zamir Kabulov stated Russia is prepared to mediate tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan if requested by both governments.[ABC News · Associated Press]

Whether Afghanistan and Pakistan will accept Russian mediation to de-escalate their border dispute remains unconfirmed.[ABC News · Associated Press]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.