Russia on Thursday became the first nation to formally recognize the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan, nearly three years after the group seized power in 2021. This followed Moscow’s decision to remove the Taliban from its list of banned organizations.
The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that it had accepted the credentials of Afghanistan’s new ambassador, Gul Hassan Hassan, marking a diplomatic milestone. The ministry said the move would help advance “productive bilateral cooperation.”
Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry hailed the decision as historic. Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi called it “a good example for other countries.”
The Taliban returned to power in August 2021 after U.S. and NATO troops withdrew. Since then, the group has sought international legitimacy while implementing a strict version of Islamic law. Despite establishing limited diplomatic ties with nations like China and the UAE, the Taliban had not previously secured formal recognition from any state, largely due to widespread criticism over its treatment of women.
Soon after regaining power, the Taliban imposed harsh restrictions on women and girls, barring them from most jobs, public spaces, and education beyond the sixth grade—despite initial promises of a more moderate rule compared to their 1996–2001 regime.
Russia has recently advocated for engagement with the Taliban to ensure regional stability. In April, it lifted its ban on the group. Russian Ambassador to Afghanistan Dmitry Zhirnov said on state TV that the recognition decision was approved by President Vladimir Putin following advice from Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Zhirnov described it as evidence of Russia’s “sincere striving for the development of full-fledged relations with Afghanistan.”
