Russia becomes first country to formally recognize Taliban’s latest Afghanistan rule
MOSCOW — Russia made history on Thursday by becoming the first country to officially recognize the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan since its rise to power in 2021. This recognition came after Moscow removed the Taliban from its list of banned organizations.
The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that it had accepted credentials from Gul Hassan Hassan, Afghanistan’s newly appointed Ambassador. The ministry stated that recognizing the Afghan government will enhance “productive bilateral cooperation.”
The Foreign Ministry of Afghanistan hailed this move as a significant step forward, quoting Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, who praised Russia’s decision as “a positive example for other nations.”
Following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces in August 2021, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. Since then, they have been striving for international recognition while imposing their strict interpretation of Islamic law.
Although no other country had officially acknowledged the Taliban administration prior to this, the group had engaged in high-level discussions with several nations and established diplomatic relations with countries like China and the United Arab Emirates.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, the Taliban-led government has faced isolation on the global stage, largely due to its oppressive measures against women.
Initially pledging a more moderate rule compared to their previous regime from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban quickly implemented restrictions on women and girls following their 2021 takeover. Women are now prohibited from various professions and public spaces, while girls are denied education beyond the sixth grade.
Russian authorities have stressed the importance of engaging with the Taliban to aid in stabilizing Afghanistan, leading to the lifting of the ban on the group in April.
In televised remarks, Russia’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, revealed that President Vladimir Putin, upon Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s recommendation, decided to formally recognize the Taliban government. Zhirnov emphasized that this decision reflects Russia’s genuine commitment to establishing comprehensive relations with Afghanistan.
