Russia becomes first country to recognize Taliban by accepting Afghan envoy
Russia becomes first country to recognize Taliban by accepting Afghan envoy
M.U.H
04/07/202513
Russia has formally accepted the credentials of a new Afghan ambassador appointed by the Taliban, marking the first time a country has officially recognized the group's government since it returned to power in 2021.
Gul Hassan Hassan presented his credentials to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko in Moscow on Thursday. The move is widely seen as a major diplomatic endorsement of the Taliban-led government.
“We believe that the act of official recognition of the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will give impetus to the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries in various fields,” Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
The ministry cited areas such as energy, transportation, agriculture, and infrastructure as key sectors for future collaboration. “We will continue to assist Kabul in strengthening regional security and combating the threats of terrorism and drug-related crime,” the statement added.
In a parallel meeting in Kabul, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi praised the development, telling Russian ambassador Dmitry Zhirnov that “This brave decision will be an example for others.”
“Now that the process of recognition has started, Russia is ahead of everyone,” he added.
The Taliban returned to power in August 2021 following the irresponsible withdrawal of US and NATO troops. Since then, no country has formally recognized the group as Afghanistan’s legitimate government, though several—including China, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan—have posted ambassadors in Kabul, indicating a cautious engagement.
Russia had previously designated the Taliban as a terrorist organization in 2003, a classification it lifted in April 2025.
In July 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the Taliban as “allies in the fight against terrorism,” while Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described the Taliban administration as “a reality,” advocating for a “pragmatic, not ideologized policy” toward Afghanistan.
