Afghanistan's authorities have invited Russian companies to build oil refineries in the country as Kabul seeks to expand energy cooperation with Moscow and increase purchases of Russian petroleum products, Dmitry Antonov, head of the Business Council for Cooperation with Afghanistan, said.

Antonov said that the Taliban authorities have also invited Russian businesses to participate in developing the country's natural resource deposits. The initiative is aimed at balancing trade between the two countries, Afghanistan International reports.

Afghanistan has previously encouraged Russian investment in its oil and gas sector. In August 2025, the country's Minister of Mines and Petroleum, Hedayatullah Badri, offered investors security guarantees, transparency and long-term investment opportunities during a forum in Tatarstan.

He noted that significant hydrocarbon reserves are located in the Amu Darya, Katawaz and Helmand basins. Afghanistan aims to use these resources to meet domestic demand and supply neighbouring countries.

On November 12, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk arrived in Kabul with a delegation of more than 70 business representatives.

During the visit, the two sides signed 15 cooperation memorandums worth a total of $103 million, Taliban spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said.

The agreements cover Russian supplies of medicines, wheat, flour and vegetable oil to Afghanistan, as well as Afghan pomegranate exports to Russia.

Bilateral trade exceeded $349 million in the first eight months of 2026, more than doubling compared with the same period a year earlier.

In May 2026, Moscow and Kabul also concluded an agreement on military-technical cooperation. The first stage is expected to involve repairs to Soviet-era military equipment, while the Taliban authorities have expressed interest in obtaining new weapons in the future.

The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in August 2021 following the withdrawal of US troops. Since then, Moscow has established contacts with the country's new authorities.

In April 2025, Russia's Supreme Court suspended the ban on the Taliban movement's activities in the country. In July 2025, Moscow became the first country to officially recognise the Taliban-led government.

The latest economic initiatives reflect efforts by both sides to expand trade, attract investment and strengthen cooperation in energy and other strategic sectors.