Taliban trade deal with Russia to supply petrol, diesel, gas and wheat

 The Afghan Taliban have signed a tentative deal with Russia for the supply of petrol, diesel, gas and wheat.

Afghanistan's Acting Minister of Industry and Trade, Haji Nuruddin Azizi, told Reuters news agency that his ministry wants to increase trade partnerships.

He said that "Russia has also offered concessions in food items to the Taliban administration."

This is the first international trade agreement since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan.

So far, no country has officially recognized the Taliban government. For 20 years, the Taliban fought against NATO forces and local Afghan allies.

Western diplomats say the Taliban must ensure human rights, especially women's rights, and prove it has cut ties with international militant organizations.

Russia has not officially recognized the Taliban government, but Moscow has hosted leaders of the movement, while the Russian embassy in Kabul is also operating.

Nuruddin Azizi said that under this agreement, Russia will supply one million tons of petrol, one million tons of diesel, five million tons of LPG and two million tons of wheat annually.

Russia's energy and agriculture ministers did not immediately comment on the deal.

There was no comment from the office of Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Nok, who heads the Oil and Gas Department.

Nuruddin Azizi further said that the agreement will work for an indefinite period on an experimental basis. If both countries are satisfied with the terms and conditions of the agreement, then a long-term agreement will be signed.

Refraining from giving details about the prices and its mechanism, he said only that Russia has agreed to give concessions on food items.

Afghanistan will be supplied with petrol, diesel, gas and wheat through roads and rail

The agreement was finalized after an Afghan technical team spent several weeks in Moscow. Last month, Industry and Trade Minister Haji Nuruddin Azizi visited Russia.

After the Taliban seized power, Afghanistan is facing an economic crisis.

The trade deal will be closely watched by the US as its officials hold regular talks on the country's banking system.

Haji Nuruddin Azizi says that "according to international statistics, most of the Afghan citizens are living below the poverty line."