ISLAMABAD: Russia’s special envoy for Afghanistan has issued a blunt rejection of any American attempt to reclaim military access to Bagram Air Base, describing the move as absolutely unacceptable.
Zamir Kabulov, President Vladimir Putin’s special representative and Foreign Ministry adviser, delivered the warning in an interview with state news agency RIA Novosti. He stated that Washington’s renewed interest under President Donald Trump carries no novelty but poses serious risks to regional stability.
Kabulov emphasised that the establishment of US or NATO military infrastructure on Afghan soil or in neighbouring countries remains categorically unacceptable under any pretext. Moscow hopes the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will continue to uphold its firm opposition to foreign bases.
The remarks follow Trump’s repeated public calls to regain control of the sprawling facility, which US forces abandoned in July 2021. At its peak, Bagram spanned more than 11 square miles and hosted over 30,000 American and coalition troops, making it the largest Western military hub in the country.
Strategically located 40 kilometres north of Kabul, the base features an 11,800-foot concrete runway capable of accommodating heavy cargo aircraft such as the C-5 Galaxy. Its position places it within rapid striking distance of Iran to the west, Pakistan to the east, and Chinese borders to the north.
Trump has highlighted Bagram’s proximity to Chinese nuclear missile facilities, claiming it lies roughly one hour from key sites. Regional analysts note the airfield’s value for monitoring Central Asia and countering Beijing’s growing influence in the area.
Reports from Afghan and Pakistani media, including Islamabad Post, confirm that Kabul has already rejected Washington’s overtures. Taliban officials have repeatedly assured allies that no foreign military presence will be tolerated on Afghan territory.
In October 2025 Moscow Format consultations, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi explicitly told Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov that Bagram and all other bases remain off-limits. China, Iran and Pakistan joined Russia in voicing unified opposition to any re-establishment of foreign facilities.
Kabulov warned that any US attempt to seize the base would trigger fierce Afghan resistance and end in catastrophic consequences for Washington. Afghans, long accustomed to prolonged conflict, would view such a move as renewed occupation.
Russia formally recognised the Islamic Emirate in July 2025, paving the way for deeper bilateral defence and economic ties. Recent high-level meetings between Russian and Taliban defence officials in early 2026 underscore Moscow’s commitment to Afghan sovereignty.
The 2021 US withdrawal from Bagram occurred under cover of darkness on 1 July, with American forces shutting off power and departing without notifying Afghan partners. The base fell to Taliban control within weeks, marking a symbolic end to two decades of Western presence.
Defence experts calculate that retaining Bagram post-2021 would have required an additional 5,000 US troops solely for its protection, an untenable burden amid the broader pull-out. Today the facility serves as a key asset under Taliban administration.
Analysts warn that any reversal could destabilise fragile regional balances, particularly along Pakistan’s western border where security concerns already run high. Islamabad has consistently backed calls against foreign military re-engagement in Afghanistan.
Kabulov’s statement arrives against the backdrop of heightened Middle East tensions involving Iran. Yet Russian officials insist the core objection centres on principle rather than immediate crisis response.
Moscow continues to advocate for an independent, stable Afghanistan free from external military footprints. This position aligns with broader efforts to prevent escalation that could spill across Central and South Asian frontiers.
The international community watches closely as diplomatic exchanges intensify. Bagram’s future remains a litmus test for great-power competition in the post-withdrawal era.