Russia opposes US retaking of Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan

Russia opposes the United States’ restoration of Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned against any US military return to Afghanistan, describing it as “completely unacceptable” and citing the Soviet Union’s failed Afghan war as a cautionary tale.

US President Trump publicly called on the United States to reclaim the strategically important air base, calling Biden’s abandonment of it a “mistake” and threatening consequences if Afghanistan refuses.

Moscow officially recognized the Taliban-led Islamic emirate, positioned itself as the dominant power broker in the region, and broke with Western isolationist policies toward the regime.

Russia seeks to expand trade and infrastructure ties while countering the influence of hostile countries. The Taliban, keen to end isolation, praised the Russian move and promised to provide security for investments.

Despite Russian support, the Taliban’s strict restrictions on women and girls continue to hinder broader international recognition, even as regional powers vie for control of Central Asia’s future.

Russia has expressed its opposition to the United States restoring the Bagram air base in Afghanistan, which was abandoned during the Biden administration – something current US President Donald Trump wants to restore.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov issued this warning, Tuesday, October 7, during a conference in the Russian capital, Moscow. The aforementioned meeting witnessed the presence of a delegation from the ruling Taliban government in Afghanistan and officials from China, India, Iran and several Central Asian countries.

Lavrov said: “The deployment of any third country’s military infrastructure on the territory of Afghanistan, as well as on the territory of neighboring countries, is absolutely unacceptable under any pretext.” He portrayed any potential US return as a recipe for disaster. According to Lavrov, the Soviet Union’s decade-long war with Afghanistan that ended in 1989 “should have taught everyone the right lessons long ago.”

The Secretary of State’s comments stand in contrast to Trump, who has publicly expressed regret over the loss of the base and called it a “mistake.” “We are trying to get it back,” he said in a recent interview. The real estate mogul noted that the Biden administration gave the base to the Taliban “for free,” and highlighted its strategic proximity to China.

Trump escalated his rhetoric in a subsequent post on Truth Social: “If Afghanistan does not return Bagram Air Base to those who built it, the USA, bad things will happen!” This dispute over the air base has become a new flashpoint, further straining the already strained relationship between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which has been strained by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

“The United States lost Bagram Air Base due to the Biden administration’s hasty and poorly planned withdrawal, which abandoned critical infrastructure and equipment while releasing dangerous prisoners.” Brighteon.AIEnoch Drive tells. “This reckless decision allowed the Taliban to quickly seize power, emboldening global adversaries and costing American lives.”

From pariah to partner: How Russia is rewriting Afghan diplomacy

Tuesday’s summit in the Russian capital also saw Moscow officially recognize the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan, positioning itself as the main power broker in the region. This bold diplomatic shift represents a decisive break from the Western approach to dealing with the Islamic regime. This time, the Taliban aims to secure Russian economic and strategic interests by filling the vacuum left by Washington’s withdrawal in 2021.

For the Taliban, Russia’s recognition is a crucial step toward ending their international isolation. Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Mottaki praised what he called “the Russian Federation’s bold step to officially recognize the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan” and urged other countries to follow suit.

Mottaki used Moscow’s platform to claim that his government had guaranteed “comprehensive security after four decades and provides a good platform for investment, economy, transit and communication.” Lavrov supported this economic vision, criticized Western sanctions and asset freezes as “hostile policies” and expressed Russia’s desire to expand trade and energy relations with Kabul.

Despite this diplomatic flirtation, the Taliban’s domestic policies remain a major obstacle to broader international acceptance. Since regaining power in 2021, the group has reimposed a strict interpretation of Islamic law – barring women from most public roles and girls from education beyond sixth grade. These actions sparked widespread condemnation and limited the group’s engagement with the wider world.

As regional powers vie for position, Russia’s recognition of the Taliban represents a calculated gamble. By embracing a regime that was once considered a pariah, Moscow seeks to consolidate its influence in what it sees as its traditional sphere of influence, prevent the return of the United States, and pave the way for infrastructure projects that could enhance its economic dominance. The standoff over Bagram Air Base is now a central test for this new alliance, with the future of Central Asian security and great power competition at stake.

He watches US President Donald Trump told reporters that Washington wants the Bagram Air Base to return as soon as possible In this clip.

This video is from Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

(Tags for translation)Afghanistan