Russia Officially Recognize Taliban Government in Afghanistan

Moscow, MINA – Russia has formally accepted the credentials of Afghanistan’s new ambassador, marking a significant step in its ongoing efforts to build friendly relations with the Taliban authorities in the country.

“We believe 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 two countries in various fields,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday, July 3, as reported by Al Jazeera.

This move makes Russia the first country in the world to officially recognize the Taliban government.

“This bold decision will set an example for others,” Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said in a video of his Thursday meeting with Dmitry Zhirnov, Russia’s Ambassador to Kabul, which was posted on X.

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The development is likely to be closely scrutinized by Washington, which has frozen billions in Afghanistan’s central bank assets and imposed sanctions on several senior Taliban leaders, largely cutting off Afghanistan’s banking sector from the international financial system.

The group seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021, following the withdrawal of U.S. forces who had been supporting the internationally recognized Afghan government.

Moscow, which has labeled the US withdrawal a “failure,” has since taken steps to normalize relations with the Taliban authorities, viewing them as both an economic partner and a potential ally in counter-terrorism efforts.

In July 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the Taliban as “allies in the fight against terrorism,” particularly against the Islamic State Khorasan Province, ISKP (ISIS-K), a group responsible for deadly attacks in both Afghanistan and Russia.

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In April, Russia’s Supreme Court revoked the group’s designation as a “terrorist” organization.

The Taliban formed in 1994 during the Afghan Civil War, largely composed of former US-backed Mujahideen fighters who had battled the Soviet Union during the 1980s. 

Russia had blacklisted the Taliban as a “terrorist” organization in 2003 due to its support for separatists in the North Caucasus.

However, the Taliban’s return to power in 2021 compelled Russia and other regional countries to shift their stance as they compete for influence. 

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Russia was the first country to open a business representative office in Kabul after the Taliban took over and has announced plans to utilize Afghanistan as a gas transit hub to Southeast Asia.

The Afghan government remains unrecognized by any global body, with the United Nations referring to the administration as the “de facto Taliban authorities.” [Shibgho]

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)

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