Afghanistan rules out foreign bases as Moscow Format talks begin, echoing Lavrov’s warnings

Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, has pledged that no foreign military bases will be allowed on Afghan soil, including the strategic Bagram Air Base, officials said Tuesday, during the opening of the 7th Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan.

Speaking at the meeting, Russian special presidential envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov confirmed that Muttaqi “firmly stated that Afghanistan and its government will not permit the establishment of foreign military bases on their territory.”

Kabulov added that Russia itself has no plans to deploy bases in Afghanistan. “This is absolutely ruled out. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that he categorically opposes the deployment of military bases in Afghanistan and neighboring states,” he noted.

The statement comes against a backdrop of escalating tensions with the United States. Last month, US President Donald Trump reportedly threatened Afghan authorities with unspecified consequences if they refused to hand over control of the Bagram base — a long-standing hub of US military operations in the country.

The commitment from Kabul aligns closely with remarks made by Lavrov during the opening of the Moscow Format session, where he warned that the military presence of non-regional powers could destabilize Afghanistan and the wider region. Lavrov emphasized that Afghanistan should be integrated into regional political and economic processes without the interference of foreign military forces.

The Moscow Format, which includes Russia, China, Iran, India, Pakistan, and Central Asian states, convenes annually to discuss regional security, counterterrorism, economic cooperation, and Afghanistan’s political reconciliation. Tuesday’s session marked the first formal participation of Afghanistan under the Taliban-led administration, highlighting growing regional engagement with Kabul.

Observers say the firm stance against foreign bases underscores Afghanistan’s effort to assert sovereignty while signaling alignment with Russia and other regional powers seeking to limit US influence in Central and South Asia.