Russia becomes first country to recognize Taliban government

Russia has officially accepted the credentials of Afghanistan's newly appointed ambassador from the Taliban-led government, making it the first nation to formally recognize the administration that took control of Kabul in August 2021.

The announcement was made on Thursday by the Russian Foreign Ministry, marking a major diplomatic shift and a significant win for the Taliban as it seeks to emerge from years of international isolation.

"We believe that the act of official recognition of the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will give impetus to the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries in various fields," the ministry stated, adding that Moscow sees strong potential for collaboration in security, counter-terrorism, and combating drug trafficking.

Russian officials also pointed to opportunities in trade, energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and transportation sectors. “We value this courageous step taken by Russia, and, God willing, it will serve as an example for others as well,” said Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in response to the move.

No other country has formally recognized the Taliban government to date, though several nations, including China, Pakistan, the UAE, and Uzbekistan, have appointed ambassadors to Kabul in recent years. The recognition by Russia is expected to be closely watched by the international community, particularly Washington, which has imposed sanctions on Taliban leaders and frozen Afghan central bank assets.

Moscow's relations with the Taliban have grown steadily in recent years. In 2003, Russia officially designated the group as a terrorist organization, but that designation was reversed earlier this year. President Vladimir Putin even referred to the Taliban as a partner in fighting terrorism in 2023.

Since 2022, Afghanistan has been importing fuel, wheat, and other commodities from Russia, and both governments have emphasized a shared interest in addressing regional security concerns. The Afghan affiliate of Daesh was blamed by US officials for the March 2024 attack near Moscow that killed 149 people.

Despite this step toward normalization, human rights concerns continue to shadow the Taliban's international standing. The group has faced widespread criticism for its policies restricting women’s rights, including barring girls from secondary schools and universities and limiting women’s freedom of movement.

Russia’s recognition comes despite a fraught history between the two nations. The Soviet Union’s 1979 invasion of Afghanistan triggered a decade-long war that left 15,000 Soviet troops dead and played a role in the USSR’s eventual collapse.

With Moscow now signaling a willingness to move beyond that past, Afghanistan under Taliban rule may find itself with a powerful new ally, but at the cost of further deepening global divisions over how to deal with the regime in Kabul.