Afghanistan’s government said on Thursday that Russia had become the first country to officially recognise its rule, calling it a “brave decision”.
The statement came following a meeting in Kabul between Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Russia’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov. During the meeting, Russia confirmed that it now officially recognises the Taliban-led administration, known as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
“This brave decision will be an example for others… Now that the process of recognition has started, Russia was ahead of everyone,” Muttaqi said in a video shared on social media.
Taliban foreign ministry spokesman Zia Ahmad Takal added, “Russia is the first country which has officially recognised the Islamic Emirate.”
According to the Taliban’s foreign ministry, this marks the start of “a new phase of positive relations, mutual respect, and constructive engagement.”
Russia’s Foreign Ministry, in a statement on Telegram, noted that official recognition would likely lead to stronger cooperation between the two countries.
“We believe that the act of official recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will boost the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries in several areas,” it said. The ministry also noted areas of possible collaboration such as energy, transport, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Moscow added that it intends to support Kabul in improving regional security and in efforts to combat terrorism and drug trafficking.
Russia had already taken steps in recent months to normalise relations with the Taliban by removing them from its list of terrorist groups in April and accepting a Taliban-appointed ambassador.
In July 2024, President Vladimir Putin had already referred to the Taliban as “allies in the fight against terrorism”. Russia was also the first country to open a business representative office in Kabul after the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, and has revealed plans to use Afghanistan as a transit route for gas exports to Southeast Asia.
The move by Moscow makes it the first country to formally recognise the Taliban since their takeover. During the Taliban’s first period in power from 1996 to 2001, only Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Pakistan recognised their rule.
Though countries like China and Pakistan have allowed Taliban ambassadors in their capitals, they have not granted official recognition to the Islamic Emirate. Still, there has been a gradual increase in diplomatic engagement from some nations.
However, the decision from Russia has sparked backlash from Afghan women’s rights advocates and former officials. Critics pointed to the Taliban’s harsh policies on women and ongoing human rights concerns.
“The move legitimizes a regime that bans girls from education, enforces public floggings, and shelters UN-sanctioned terrorists,” said Mariam Solaimankhil, a former Afghan lawmaker. “The move signals that strategic interests will always outweigh human rights and international law.”
Another ex-MP, Fawzia Koofi, shared her concern as well. She stated, “Any recognition of the Taliban will not bring peace, it will legitimize impunity” and “risk endangering not just the people of Afghanistan, but global security.”
