Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government announced on Thursday, July 3, that Russia has become the first country to officially recognise its rule, calling the move a “brave decision” and a significant milestone in its long-standing pursuit of international legitimacy.
The announcement followed a meeting in Kabul between Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Russian Ambassador Dmitry Zhirnov. “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 posted on social media platform X.
“Russia is the first country which has officially recognised the Islamic Emirate,” confirmed Taliban foreign ministry spokesman Zia Ahmad Takal in a statement to AFP, using the Taliban's preferred name for their administration.
Russia’s foreign ministry, in a statement on Telegram, confirmed the development, expressing hope that official recognition would “boost the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries in several areas,” particularly in “energy, transportation, agriculture and infrastructure.” The ministry also reaffirmed Moscow’s interest in supporting Afghanistan in its fight against terrorism and drug trafficking.
Afghanistan has been ruled by the Taliban since August 2021, after they ousted the Western-backed government following the withdrawal of U.S.-led NATO forces. Since returning to power, the Taliban have imposed a strict interpretation of Islamic law and have faced widespread international criticism over human rights abuses, especially the systemic exclusion of women and girls from education and public life.
Russia has progressively normalised relations with the Taliban government. In April, it removed the group from its list of “terrorist organisations” and accepted a Taliban-appointed ambassador in Kabul. It was also the first country to open a business representative office in the Afghan capital after the Taliban’s return to power. President Vladimir Putin had earlier referred to the Taliban as “allies in the fight against terrorism.”
The recognition marks a new phase of diplomatic relations between the two nations. “It is a new phase of positive relations, mutual respect, and constructive engagement,” said Muttaqi, according to a post by Afghanistan’s foreign ministry on X.
China welcomed Russia’s decision, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stating, “As a traditional friendly neighbour of Afghanistan, the Chinese side has always believed that Afghanistan should not be excluded from the international community.”
However, the move drew sharp criticism from Afghan women’s rights activists and former lawmakers. Mariam Solaimankhil, a former member of Afghanistan’s parliament, condemned the recognition. “The move legitimizes a regime that bans girls from education, enforces public floggings, and shelters UN-sanctioned terrorists,” she said, warning that it shows “strategic interests will always outweigh human rights and international law.”
Fawzia Koofi, another former Afghan MP, echoed the concerns. “Any recognition of the Taliban will not bring peace; it will legitimise impunity and risk endangering not just the people of Afghanistan, but global security,” she said.
During the Taliban’s first regime from 1996 to 2001, only Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates officially recognised their government. Since 2021, countries such as China and Pakistan have accepted Taliban diplomats but stopped short of formal recognition.
Many Western nations continue to withhold recognition due to ongoing human rights concerns, and several senior Taliban figures remain under international sanctions, including by the United Nations.
