Russia officially recognized the Taliban government in Afghanistan by accepting the credentials of its new ambassador, Gul Hassan Hassan. This move makes Russia the first country to formally acknowledge the Taliban’s rule since their takeover in August 2021.
The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that this recognition aims to foster “productive bilateral cooperation” between the two nations, particularly in areas such as trade, energy, transport, agriculture, and infrastructure. The ministry also expressed its intention to assist Kabul in strengthening regional security and combating terrorism and drug trafficking.
Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi welcomed Russia’s decision, describing it as a “historic step” and expressing hope that it would encourage other countries to follow suit. He emphasized that this recognition marks a new phase of positive relations, mutual respect, and constructive engagement between Afghanistan and Russia.
This development follows Russia’s earlier decision in April 2025 to remove the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations, a significant shift in policy given Russia’s complex historical involvement in Afghanistan, including the Soviet invasion in 1979. Moscow’s decision is strategically motivated by its need to combat Islamist militant threats in the region, especially from groups like ISIS-K, which was linked to a deadly 2024 attack in Moscow. The Taliban claims to be eliminating ISIS presence in Afghanistan.
While Russia has taken this step, Western countries remain hesitant to recognize the Taliban, citing human rights abuses, particularly against women, who face severe educational and mobility restrictions under the regime.
The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, balancing diplomatic engagement with concerns over human rights and regional stability.
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