The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Russia is prepared to work with regional countries to help ease tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, a senior Russian official said, as Moscow seeks to expand its role in resolving conflicts in Central and South Asia.
Russian presidential envoy Zamir Kabulov told Izvestia that Western countries were unlikely to play a significant role in resolving the dispute. Moscow, he said, is ready to cooperate with regional partners to help Kabul and Islamabad reach an agreement.
His comments came after a recent meeting of the Moscow Format consultations on Afghanistan failed to resolve key differences between the two sides.
The tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have persisted despite changes in government, according to Natalya Zamarayeva, a senior researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences' Institute of Oriental Studies. She said Russia could serve as an effective mediator because both Kabul and Islamabad maintain relations with Moscow and see Russia as a potential partner.
For Moscow, the dispute also presents both an opportunity and a challenge, according to Middle East expert Oleg Akulinichev, who was quoted by Kommersant.
The conflict strengthens Russia's role as a platform for regional dialogue, but Moscow's ability to broker a final settlement remains limited because any agreement reached through the Moscow Format would require the consent of both Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Russia's growing engagement with Afghanistan is also driven by broader strategic interests, Akulinichev said.
He identified three main factors: competition with the United States, regional security and economic interests. Afghanistan remains a source of security concerns for Russia and Central Asia because of terrorism and drug trafficking, he said.
At the same time, Moscow views Afghanistan as a potential economic and transit partner. Akulinichev said closer ties with Kabul could give Russia greater access to the Afghan market and strengthen its position in Central Asia despite Western sanctions.
The effort reflects Moscow's broader push to maintain and expand its influence in a region where Russia, China, the United States and regional powers are competing for strategic influence.
