Can Russia help ease tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan?

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that Russia is trying to position itself as a possible mediator in the rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as both countries continue to trade accusations, border fire and cross-border strikes. The article says Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev met Pakistan’s army chief in Rawalpindi on October 14, while Russian intelligence chief Sergey Naryshkin travelled to Kabul for talks with Taliban officials. Moscow has publicly said it is concerned about the fighting and signalled willingness to help if both sides ask.

The report notes that Russia has built closer ties with both Islamabad and the Taliban in recent years. It cites Russia’s recognition of the Taliban government and its broader effort to expand influence in South Asia, while also trying to prevent militant groups, especially Islamic State Khorasan Province, from gaining ground. Analysts quoted by Al Jazeera said this gives Moscow some leverage, but not enough to guarantee progress.

According to the article, previous mediation attempts by Qatar, Turkiye and China produced limited results, and a Moscow-hosted meeting earlier in October did not break the deadlock. A major obstacle remains Pakistan’s demand that Afghanistan act against the Pakistani Taliban, which Kabul rejects. The story suggests Russia may have more room to influence the Taliban than earlier mediators, but its ability to ease the dispute is still uncertain.