Russia said on Thursday that it had accepted the credentials of the Taliban’s newly appointed ambassador to Moscow, becoming the first country to formally recognize the Taliban administration since its return to power in Afghanistan nearly four years ago.
Moreover, the Taliban flag was hoisted at Afghanistan’s embassy compound instead of the former Republic government’s flag, according to an image reported by TASS news agency.
“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,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The announcement followed a meeting on Thursday in which Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko accepted credentials from Gul Hassan Hassan, the Taliban’s envoy to Russia. The statement signaled a significant diplomatic shift and a break from the broader international stance of nonrecognition.
Russia, which has kept its embassy open in Kabul since the Taliban seized power in August 2021, said it sees “significant prospects for cooperation in trade and economic areas,” highlighting potential projects in energy, transport, agriculture and infrastructure. It also reaffirmed support for regional security collaboration and deeper ties in education, sports, culture and humanitarian affairs.
In Kabul, Taliban officials welcomed the move. Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s acting foreign minister, called the recognition “a major milestone in the history of our relations.”
“This acknowledgment will serve as a model for other countries to follow,” Muttaqi said earlier this week. “It will expand bilateral cooperation and usher in a new era of constructive engagement between Afghanistan and Russia.”
No other country has officially recognized the Taliban administration, which remains under widespread international sanctions. Many nations have made engagement contingent on the Taliban’s respect for human rights, particularly those of women and girls.
The Russian decision marks a significant departure from that consensus, suggesting a growing regional realignment driven more by geopolitical and security interests than by human rights considerations.
