Putin to rescue sanctions-hit Taliban; Russia-Afghanistan energy deal soon

• The Taliban administration in Afghanistan is in the final stages of talks with Moscow over a contract to purchase gasoline and benzene from Russia. Rising inflation has eroded Afghanistan's currency and sanctions have stopped development aid. As a result Afghan people are suffering under the Taliban administration. Even Moscow does not formally recognize the Taliban administration. If signed, the deal will a sign of foreign countries increasingly doing business with the Taliban. Countries around the world have refused to give the Taliban government official recognition since it took control of Kabul last year. The talks come at a time when United States has urged countries to cut down on use of Russian oil.