Russia Becomes the First Country to Recognize the Taliban Government in Afghanistan

In a major diplomatic development, Russia has officially recognized the Taliban government, becoming the first country in the world to take this step. Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, made the announcement following an important meeting with Russian Ambassador Dmitry Zhirnov in Kabul on Thursday.

Following this decision, the Taliban government now has permission to appoint its ambassador to Moscow, marking a significant milestone in their international diplomatic efforts. In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter), Muttaqi said:

“This bold move by Russia sets an example for other countries… now that the recognition process has started, Russia is leading the way.”

Muttaqi further described Russia’s decision as a “realistic and historic advancement” in the relationship between the two nations. The Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs also highlighted that Russia’s step would be remembered as a turning point in bilateral ties.

This decision follows Russia’s earlier move in April 2024, when it removed the Taliban from its official list of terrorist organizations after nearly two decades. This was widely seen as a strategic and symbolic shift in Russia’s foreign policy.

Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said:

“We believe that officially recognizing the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will open the door to meaningful cooperation across several sectors between our two countries.”

The Russian government added that this recognition would help strengthen efforts against terrorism and drug trafficking, and also boost economic and diplomatic cooperation with Kabul. Afghanistan, which has suffered decades of conflict—including a 20-year war involving U.S. and allied forces—now sees this step as a diplomatic breakthrough.

Earlier in 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin had described the Taliban as a “partner in combating terrorism,” indicating a major shift in Russia’s stance toward the group.

However, the move has drawn criticism. Maryam Solaimankhil, a former member of Afghanistan’s parliament and known Taliban critic, said:

“This development shows that strategic interests often take precedence over human rights and international law.”

After taking over Afghanistan in August 2021 following the collapse of President Ashraf Ghani’s government, the Taliban imposed strict Islamic laws. Since then, no major Western nation has granted them formal recognition due to concerns over women’s rights, freedom of speech, and overall human rights violations.

Despite this, countries like China and Russia have kept diplomatic channels open and invited Taliban officials to regional forums, showing a gradual but steady shift in international engagement with the Taliban.

During their previous rule from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban were only officially recognized by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates. Even then, some countries, like China and Pakistan, maintained informal relations by hosting Taliban envoys.

Russia’s recognition of the Taliban government marks a dramatic shift in global diplomacy and could pave the way for other countries to follow suit. However, the move remains controversial, especially among human rights groups and democratic nations that still refuse to recognize the Taliban due to ongoing restrictions on freedoms and governance issues in Afghanistan.