Nooruddin Azizi, the Taliban’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, announced in an interview with the Russian state news agency that the group is buying oil and petroleum products from Moscow.

Azizi informed RIA Novosti, "We are engaging in short-term, renewable contracts with Russian companies."

The Taliban's Minister of Industry and Commerce is currently heading a delegation at the "Russia-Islamic World" Economic Forum in Kazan which is located in the Russian Republic of Tatarstan.

During his visit, Azizi noted, "Afghan private companies have established several temporary contracts with numerous Russian firms."

He detailed that these agreements span three to six months and conclude after delivering between 10,000 and 50,000 tonnes of fuel.

Russia ranks as one of the world's leading oil producers. Despite not officially recognising the Taliban, Russia has maintained diplomatic ties with the group and has transferred control of the Afghan embassy in Moscow to the Taliban.

While in Kazan, Azizi conducted separate meetings with Russian officials to advocate for expanded economic relations between the Taliban and Moscow.