The Russian state very much wants to see a multipolar world. So, historically when the Russian state expanded, it mostly expanded west and south because China checked Russia’s expansion to the east. However, Russian state sources say this contact with the Taliban was established in 2014. It provides both risks and opportunities for the Russian state. From a security perspective, I think Putin has a very cold calculated approach.

Source: The Express Tribune November 21, 2021 10:00 UTC