In a bid to diversify its trading partners and take advantage of a discount on average global commodity prices, the Taliban signed a provisional deal with Russia for the supply of gasoline, diesel, gas and wheat, according to a report in September 2022.
This is the first major international economic deal struck by the Taliban since they returned to power more than a year ago, according to the report, citing Acting Afghan Commerce and Industry Minister Haji Nooruddin Azizi.
Azizi said that the agreement would continue for an unspecified trial period, after which both sides were expected to sign a longer-term deal if they were satisfied. After several weeks of discussions in Moscow, the deal was finalized by an Afghan technical team.
Azizi said international data showed that most Afghans were living below the poverty line, and that his office was working to support trade and the economy through international outreach.
Afghans are in great need. He was quoted as saying that whatever we do, we do it based on national interest and the people's benefit.
Moscow hosted its leaders in the run-up to the fall of Kabul and its embassy in Afghanistan is one of only a handful of open-handed Russians, according to Reuters.