The European Union is adopting a more practical approach to its engagement with Afghanistan’s Islamic Emirate as it seeks cooperation on migration while continuing to raise concerns over women’s rights and the country’s long-term development, according to the EU’sThe Parliament Magazine.

The publication said the recent visit of an Islamic Emirate delegation to Brussels sparked criticism from human rights groups and opponents of the Afghan government, who argued that such contacts could contribute to the gradual normalization of relations.

According to the report, European governments have asked the Islamic Emirate to assist with the return of Afghan nationals residing illegally in Europe. In return, Afghan officials have reportedly requested authority over Afghan consulates across Europe to provide consular services to Afghan citizens.

The Parliament Magazine noted that granting such authority would not constitute formal diplomatic recognition but would mark a further step in expanding practical cooperation between the two sides.

The report said engagement between European officials and representatives of the Islamic Emirate has continued since 2021 through meetings in Doha and the United Arab Emirates. It also pointed to the reopening of the EU Delegation in Kabul in early 2022 as part of ongoing diplomatic contacts.

Germany has emerged as one of the European countries taking a more pragmatic approach, the magazine reported. Berlin has resumed the deportation of Afghan nationals convicted of crimes and has reportedly allowed representatives approved by the Islamic Emirate to manage some Afghan diplomatic missions to facilitate consular services.

The publication said the lack of fully functioning Afghan consulates in several European countries has left hundreds of thousands of Afghans with limited access to passports and other official documents, while also complicating immigration-related procedures.

According to The Parliament Magazine, growing migration pressures have strengthened the Islamic Emirate’s negotiating position, prompting the European Union to place greater emphasis on practical cooperation aimed at managing migration, improving consular services and supporting Afghanistan’s long-term stability and development.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has expressed concern over what she described as the “difficult humanitarian situation” in Afghanistan, citing high infant mortality rates and the spread of polio.

Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, Zakharova said that according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 21 polio cases were recorded between 2025 and 2026 in areas between Afghanistan’s and Pakistan.

She claimed that Afghan children under the age of 10 had limited access to vaccination, saying only 5–7% had been vaccinated. Zakharova also highlighted Afghanistan’s neonatal mortality rate, saying it stood at 33.1 deaths per 1,000 live births, which she described as nearly twice the global average.

She said infant deaths in Afghanistan were mainly linked to premature births and insufficient access to breast milk or nutritional substitutes.

Zakharova blamed what she called the “politicization of international humanitarian assistance” by Western countries for the humanitarian challenges in Afghanistan. She criticized US and allies sanctions against Kabul, saying they affected the most vulnerable segments of Afghan society, particularly children and newborns.

“International funding for humanitarian programs in Afghanistan is declining,” Zakharova said, adding that the freezing of Afghan banking assets had limited the government’s ability to finance crisis response measures.

She called on Western countries to return Afghanistan’s frozen assets and stop what she described as the “artificial politicization” of humanitarian aid to the country.

Zakharova added that Russia would continue providing humanitarian assistance to Afghans, including through relevant international organizations.

Former Zabul Deputy Governor Jumah Khan Fateh has dismissed reports claiming he had disagreements with the leadership of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), saying the allegations are unfounded.

Fateh made the remarks after travelling to Kabul, where he met with the Prime Minister at the Presidential Palace. He was accompanied by the Chief of Army Staff and the Minister of Economy.

In an interview with the BBC, Fateh said he has never opposed the leadership of the Islamic Emirate, describing media reports of alleged differences as “far from the truth.”

He said his departure from his post in Zabul was due to language-related challenges and health concerns, adding that he remains ready to serve the country in any role assigned to him by the leadership.

Recent media reports had suggested that Fateh was reluctant to continue working with the government because of differences with senior officials. He rejected those claims, reiterating his commitment to serving the country.

It remains unclear whether any decisions were made during his meeting with the Prime Minister or whether he will be appointed to a new government position.

Earlier this week, the Chief of Staff of the Ministry of National Defense of the Islamic Emirate, Fasiuddin Fitrat, rejected reports that Fateh had distanced himself from the government, describing claims of disagreements with the leadership as “media propaganda.”

Fetrat said Fateh was unable to assume his appointment as deputy governor of Zabul province due to personal and family-related circumstances.

He said some media outlets had portrayed the situation as evidence of a dispute between Fateh and the Islamic Emirate, but insisted the reports were inaccurate.

Fitrat stressed that the matter was solely related to Fateh’s family circumstances and did not reflect any differences with the leadership.

He also dismissed reports claiming that security forces had been deployed to arrest Fateh, calling the allegations “false and far from reality.”

The comments came amid speculation in some media reports regarding Fateh’s status following his appointment as deputy governor of Zabul.