Kabul: Russia has become the first country to officially recognise the Taliban government in Afghanistan.
According to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they have accepted the credentials of Afghanistan’s new ambassador, marking an official recognition of the Taliban regime.
The statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry indicates that this decision is a significant step toward promoting positive and productive cooperation between the two countries.
The decision was made during a meeting in Kabul between Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi and Russian Ambassador Dmitry Zhirnov. The Afghan Foreign Ministry also conveyed that the Russian ambassador informed them of Russia’s formal decision to recognize the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, which was welcomed by the Afghan government.
Foreign Minister Muttaqi described this move as an important development in the history of bilateral relations, stating that it will lead to expanded cooperation.
He added that Russia’s decision is a positive and constructive step to strengthen the relations between Afghanistan and Russia. Muttaqi also remarked that Russia’s recognition would be remembered as a historic milestone in their relationship.
It is worth noting that after the fall of Ashraf Ghani’s government in August 2021, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan.
However, the United Nations and the global community have not formally accepted their government, primarily due to restrictions on women’s rights and civil liberties. Nonetheless, countries like Russia and China have maintained limited diplomatic ties.
Russia had also removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations in April, which is seen as a significant move in international politics.
Complex History of Russia and Afghanistan
Russia’s relationship with Afghanistan has evolved significantly over the years, marked by periods of conflict, strategic engagement, and shifting alliances. Recently, Russia has been cultivating closer ties with the Taliban, which President Vladimir Putin described last year as an ally in the fight against terrorism.
Since 2022, Afghanistan has been importing gas, oil, and wheat from Russia, signaling a deepening economic relationship.
Historically, Russia—then the Soviet Union—was deeply involved in Afghanistan. In December 1979, Soviet troops invaded to support a communist government, leading to a brutal decade-long conflict against mujahideen fighters armed by the United States and its allies.
The war resulted in approximately 15,000 Soviet casualties before Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev ordered a withdrawal in 1989, marking a significant Cold War setback for Moscow.
Despite the end of the Soviet intervention, Russia’s approach to Afghanistan remained complex. The Taliban, which was outlawed as a terrorist organization by Russia in 2003, saw its ban lifted in April 2024, reflecting Russia’s pragmatic shift towards engaging with the group amid broader security concerns.
Moscow views the Taliban as a key player in countering Islamist militant threats emanating from Afghanistan and neighboring regions.
In recent years, the security landscape has been volatile. In March 2024, a deadly attack outside Moscow at a concert hall killed 149 people, with Islamic State (ISIS) claiming responsibility. U.S. officials indicated that ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K), the Afghan branch of ISIS, was likely behind the attack.
The Taliban claims it is actively working to eliminate ISIS presence within Afghanistan, although Western diplomats remain cautious, citing the group’s ongoing restrictions on women’s rights and freedoms.
The Taliban’s governance continues to face international scrutiny. Western nations have withheld wider recognition until the Taliban relax its strict policies—closing high schools and universities for girls and women, and imposing restrictions on their movement without male guardians.
The Taliban asserts it respects women’s rights within its interpretation of Islamic law, but this stance remains contentious globally.
