Friday, July 4, 2025 - 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.
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