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Russia Becomes First Nation to Officially Recognize Taliban Rule in Afghanistan
Moscow—In a historic move, Russia has become the first country to formally recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan, marking a significant shift in international relations since the group’s return to power in 2021. This recognition follows Russia’s removal of the Taliban from its list of outlawed organizations.
The announcement came from the Russian Foreign Ministry after it accepted the credentials of Afghanistan’s newly appointed ambassador, Gul Hassan Hassan. The ministry stated that this formal recognition paves the way for “productive bilateral cooperation” between the two nations.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry celebrated the decision, calling it a historic step forward. Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi welcomed Russia’s recognition, suggesting it sets a positive precedent for other countries to follow.
The Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021 after the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces. While engaging in discussions with numerous countries and establishing diplomatic ties with some, including China and the United Arab Emirates, the Taliban government had not received formal recognition until now. The international community’s hesitation largely stems from the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s rights.
Despite initial promises of a more moderate rule compared to their previous reign from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban have imposed significant restrictions on women and girls since their 2021 takeover. Women are largely excluded from employment and public life, facing bans on accessing parks, baths, and gyms. Girls are prohibited from education beyond the sixth grade.
In recent months, Russian officials have stressed the importance of engaging with the Taliban to promote stability in Afghanistan. This culminated in the lifting of a ban on the Taliban in April, followed by Thursday’s official recognition.
Dmitry Zhirnov, Russia’s ambassador to Afghanistan, explained in a televised statement that the decision to formally recognize the Taliban government came from President Vladimir Putin, based on the advice of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Zhirnov emphasized that this move reflects Russia’s commitment to fostering strong relations with Afghanistan.