In a landmark diplomatic shift, Russia has become the first country to officially recognise the Taliban government in Afghanistan, a move that has drawn swift reactions from both supporters and critics on the international stage.
The announcement was made on Thursday during a meeting in Kabul between Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, and Russia’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov.
“This brave decision will be an example for others… Now that the process of recognition has started, Russia was ahead of everyone,” Muttaqi said in a video statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Taliban foreign ministry spokesman Zia Ahmad Takal confirmed the development to AFP, stating, “Russia is the first country which has officially recognised the Islamic Emirate,” using the Taliban’s formal name for their administration.
Russia’s foreign ministry also confirmed the move on Telegram, saying: “We believe that the act of official recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will boost the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries in several areas.”
Moscow highlighted potential collaboration in energy, transportation, agriculture, and infrastructure, and pledged continued support in combating terrorism and drug trafficking.
Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021 following the collapse of the Western-backed government, they have struggled to gain formal international recognition. Despite receiving envoys and diplomatic signals from countries such as China, Pakistan, and others, no state had officially recognised the regime—until now.
Moscow’s recognition follows recent steps toward normalisation, including the removal of the Taliban from Russia’s list of terrorist organisations in April and the acceptance of a Taliban-appointed ambassador in Kabul.
Chinese officials also welcomed Russia’s move. “As a traditional friendly neighbour of Afghanistan, the Chinese side has always believed that Afghanistan should not be excluded from the international community,” said Mao Ning, a spokeswoman for China’s Foreign Ministry.
However, human rights advocates and Afghan women leaders have strongly condemned Russia’s recognition. Mariam Solaimankhil, a former Afghan parliamentarian, warned that the move “legitimizes a regime that bans girls from education, enforces public floggings, and shelters UN-sanctioned terrorists.”
Fawzia Koofi, another former lawmaker, added, “Any recognition of the Taliban will not bring peace—it will legitimize impunity and risk endangering not just the people of Afghanistan, but global security.”
During their previous rule from 1996 to 2001, only three countries—Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates—officially recognised the Taliban. Russia’s decision marks a significant departure in global diplomatic posture and may signal broader regional shifts in dealing with the Taliban regime.
Many senior Taliban leaders remain under international sanctions, including those imposed by the United Nations. Meanwhile, the regime continues to face strong criticism for human rights abuses, especially its treatment of women and girls, who remain barred from education and public life.
