Embassy of Russia in Kabul e1632655663590 — Embassy of Russia in Kabul (Credits: www.afghanistan.mid.ru, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

The Russian ambassador in Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, confirmed the Kremlin’s interests in improving its diplomatic and commercial relations with Kabul and supporting the national peace process without any forms of foreign interference. Zhirnov’s words underlined the Russian desire to play a strategic role in Afghanistan and counter the United States and Chinese presence.

During the interview with the Afghan TV channel ‘Shamshad TV’, Zhirnov stated that the peace process inside the country will be possible only without the presence of a foreign army. The Russian government, according to the Russian ambassador’s statement, instead of supporting any particular Afghan political force, prefers to see Afghanistan as an independent country with an independent, free and capable government.

Zhirnov confirmed that Moscow views the Taliban as part of the Afghan society, people and civil war and for this reason, it is impossible to discuss any kind of peace process without considering them. The Russian ambassador underlined the Kremlin’s goal to enhance the partnership with Afghanistan, especially in the fields of counter-terrorism and fighting corruption.

On April 29th, 2020, the Kremlin appointed Dmitry Zhirnov as the new Russian ambassador in Afghanistan. From 2016 to 2019 Zhirnov worked as Minister-Counselor of the Russian Embassy in the USA. It should also be emphasised the fact that Zhirnov speaks Chinese and English.

Why does this matter? Because the Russian Federation is adopting the strategy of supporting the Afghan peace process and economic development with the purpose of becoming one of the main foreign partners and undermine the US foreign policy, particularly after Trump Administration signed a peace deal with the Taliban (Washington signed a deal with the Taliban, but this is not the end of the war.).

Furthermore, following the steps of the past Soviet strategy of controlling a strategic area in the Eurasian region such as Afghanistan, the Russian Federation might contrast the Chinese economic presence since Beijing launched the Belt and Road Initiative and has invested a huge amount of money in the Afghan infrastructure projects.

Author: Giuliano Bifolchi

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Giuliano Bifolchi

SpecialEurasia Co-Founder & Research Manager. He has vast experience in Intelligence analysis, geopolitics, security, conflict management, and ethnic minorities. He holds a PhD in Islamic history from the University of Rome Tor Vergata, a master’s degree in Peacebuilding Management and International Relations from Pontifical University San Bonaventura, and a master’s degree in History from the University of Rome Tor Vergata. As an Intelligence analyst and political risk advisor, he has organised working visits and official missions in the Middle East, North Africa, Latin America, and the post-Soviet space and has supported the decision-making process of private and public institutions writing reports and risk assessments. Previously, he founded and directed ASRIE Analytica. He has written several academic papers on geopolitics, conflicts, and jihadist propaganda. He is the author of the books Geopolitical del Caucaso russo. Gli interessi del Cremlino e degli attori stranieri nelle dinamiche locali nordcaucasiche (Sandro Teti Editore 2020) and Storia del Caucaso del Nord tra presenza russa, Islam e terrorismo (Anteo Edizioni 2022). He was also the co-author of the book Conflitto in Ucraina: rischio geopolitico, propaganda jihadista e minaccia per l’Europa (Enigma Edizioni 2022) and Geopolitica dell’Asia centrale (SpecialEurasia 2025). He speaks Italian, English, Russian, Spanish and Arabic.

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Russia confirms its interests in Afghanistan

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