Russia Becomes First Country to Officially Recognize Taliban Government
Share
On July 3, 2025, the Kremlin announced that it had accepted the credentials of a new Afghan ambassador, marking the first formal recognition of the Taliban-led government. This symbolic but significant step was hailed by both sides: the Russian Foreign Ministry stated the move would “give impetus to the development of productive bilateral cooperation” across security, trade, agriculture, and infrastructure sectors.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi expressed deep gratitude, calling the decision “brave” and hoped it would “serve as an example for others”. His optimism underscored a growing confidence in the Taliban’s ability to gain broader international legitimacy.
This diplomatic breakthrough came after Russia’s Supreme Court removed the Taliban from its ‘terrorist’ list in April 2025—another major step toward normalization. It also follows years of pragmatic engagement, including Taliban participation in economic forums in Saint Petersburg in 2022 and 2024, and ongoing cooperation on counter-terrorism issues, notably against ISIS-K.
Russia views the recognition as strategic: it seeks to help Afghanistan combat terrorism, drug trafficking, and instability, while also eyes economic opportunities in energy, agriculture, and transport. It aligns with Moscow’s broader vision of engaging with de facto authorities in its neighborhood.
However, this move raises questions. Western nations, notably the U.S., maintain sanctions and financial freezes on the Taliban, citing human rights concerns—particularly under the Taliban’s restrictive policies on women and education. Russia’s recognition may intensify global debates over balancing stability with human rights.
For Afghanistan, Russia’s step marks a diplomatic breakthrough that could encourage other nations to follow suit. Kabul is already poised to strengthen ties with other regional powers like China, Pakistan, and the UAE, which have accepted Taliban envoys at different levels.
