Russia Becomes First Nation to Officially Recognize Taliban Government in Afghanistan



logo : | Updated On: 04-Jul-2025 @ 1:30 pm
SHARE 

Russia has become the first country to officially recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan, marking a significant diplomatic shift. This recognition was formalized with the acceptance of credentials from a new Afghan ambassador in Moscow, as part of Russia's ongoing efforts to foster friendly ties with the Taliban authorities, who assumed power following the withdrawal of United States troops in August 2021.

In a statement released by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was asserted that recognizing the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan would stimulate productive bilateral cooperation in various sectors. This diplomatic move is seen as a strategic step by Russia to assert influence in the region, especially as global powers navigate their stance on the Taliban regime, which remains unrecognized by the United Nations and most of the international community.

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, in a meeting with the Russian ambassador to Kabul, Dmitry Zhirnov, praised Russia’s “brave decision” and expressed hope that other nations would follow suit. He acknowledged that Russia led the way in the recognition process, positioning itself ahead of the international community.

This development is expected to attract scrutiny from the United States and its allies. Washington has frozen billions of dollars in Afghanistan’s central bank assets and has imposed sanctions on several senior Taliban figures, significantly hindering the country’s access to the global financial system and weakening its banking sector.

Despite this, Russia has gradually normalized relations with the Taliban. After branding the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan a "failure," Moscow began engaging the Taliban diplomatically and economically. Taliban delegations have participated in Russia’s major economic forums in Saint Petersburg in 2022 and 2024, and senior Taliban diplomats have met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, including a high-level visit in Moscow in October 2023.

In July 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin labeled the Taliban as “allies in the fight against terrorism,” particularly against the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP or ISIS-K), which has carried out deadly attacks in both Afghanistan and Russia. Following this stance, Russia’s Supreme Court removed the Taliban from its “terrorist” list in April 2024, further paving the way for official diplomatic recognition.

Lavrov has emphasized the need for a “pragmatic” and non-ideological approach toward Kabul’s new authorities, stating that the Taliban regime is now a political reality. This reflects a dramatic shift in Russia's position compared to two decades ago, when the Taliban was blacklisted in 2003 due to alleged ties with North Caucasus separatists.

The Taliban, originally formed in 1994 during the Afghan Civil War by Mujahideen fighters who had once been supported by the U.S. against the Soviet Union in the 1980s, has now come full circle in its relationship with Moscow. The Soviet defeat in Afghanistan was a major historical setback for Russia, but recent events have led to a reassessment of strategic interests.

Following the Taliban’s return to power, Russia became the first country to establish a business representation office in Kabul and announced plans to use Afghanistan as a transit hub for gas exports to Southeast Asia. Nevertheless, the Taliban-led government remains unrecognized by any major global organization, and the UN continues to refer to it as the “Taliban de facto authorities.”




Read less Translate in Assamese


Comments


Contact Us

House. No. : 163, Second Floor Haridev Rd, near Puberun Path, Hatigaon,
Guwahati, Assam 781038.

E-mail : assaminkcontact@gmail.com

Contact : +91 8811887662

Enquiry




×

Reporter Login


×

Reporter Registration


To the top © AssamInk, 2021 | Powered by Prism Infosys