Russia Becomes First Country to Officially Recognise Taliban Government

  • 04/07/2025

Moscow: In a move that sharply contrasts with the stance of the West, Russia has become the first nation to officially recognise the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan since the group seized power in August 2021.

The announcement was made during a meeting in Kabul between Russian Ambassador Dmitry Zhirnov and Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, who praised Russia’s recognition as a “courageous step” that could encourage other countries to follow suit.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said formal recognition aims to boost bilateral cooperation in energy, agriculture, transport, and infrastructure, while supporting Afghanistan in tackling terrorism and drug trafficking.

Russia has gradually strengthened ties with the Taliban in recent years: it kept its embassy open in Kabul during the 2021 power transition, signed the first international economic deal with the Taliban in 2022 to supply oil, gas, and wheat, and removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist organisations in 2025.

President Vladimir Putin has previously described the Taliban as a partner in regional security. The two countries have a complex history dating back to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, which resulted in a decade-long conflict and heavy Soviet losses.

Russia’s move starkly contrasts with Western governments and human rights groups, which continue to condemn the Taliban’s authoritarian rule and severe restrictions on women’s rights, described by the UN as “gender apartheid.” Since returning to power, the Taliban has banned women from education and public life, enforced strict dress codes, and imposed harsh penalties under new “virtue” laws.

UN sanctions imposed in 2021—including the freezing of about $9 billion in Afghan assets—remain in place. Meanwhile, countries like China, Pakistan, the UAE, and Uzbekistan have sent ambassadors but have not granted official recognition.

Moscow’s decision positions Russia as the Taliban’s first full diplomatic backer, signaling a major shift in the region’s geopolitics and raising questions about whether other nations will follow suit.

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