Russia’s recognition of the Taliban rule has provoked a wave of condemnation from political figures and civil society voices, who warn that the move not only legitimizes repression but also fuels “regional instability and extremism”.
Naseer Ahmad Andisha, Afghanistan’s representative to the United Nations in Geneva, described the recognition as “a lose-lose situation for both sides,” arguing that the opportunity for meaningful international engagement is being misused.
“This creates opportunities that should be used effectively,” Andisha said, warning against providing legitimacy to a regime accused of widespread human rights abuses.
Fawzia Koofi, a former member of Parliament and prominent women’s rights advocate, said any attempt by foreign governments to normalize ties with the Taliban would only deepen impunity. “Such steps not only endanger the lives of Afghans but also global security,” she said. “If we fail to learn from history, history will teach us with a heavy price.”
Rahmatullah Nabil, the former head of Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security, echoed that concern, noting that while opposition groups to the Taliban remain divided and disoriented, the international community is moving decisively on its own path.
Ali Maisam Nazary, head of foreign relations for the National Resistance Front, said, “A legitimate government draws its authority from the consent and trust of its people, not from external recognition. Any group that seeks international legitimacy without first earning domestic credibility is doomed to fail and be forgotten by history. Afghanistan is no exception.”
Rangin Dadfar Spanta, a former Afghan foreign minister, called the move “deeply regrettable.”
“Russia is the first country to recognize the Taliban’s repressive regime,” Spanta said. “This is just the beginning. In the absence of broad resistance, others may follow. But this is not the end of the story.”
Women’s rights activist Parwana Ebrahimkhel Najrabi added that Russia’s recognition of the Taliban mirrors its broader disregard for human rights, citing its military actions in Ukraine as another example.
The Afghanistan Freedom Front, a resistance group, also issued a statement, warning that Russia’s decision would embolden extremist groups across the region.
“Recognizing the Taliban Emirate in Afghanistan is effectively legitimizing terrorist organizations and removing barriers to their efforts to dismantle constitutional order across the region,” the group said. “The empowerment of extremist groups such as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, Ansarullah of Tajikistan, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, ISIS-Khorasan, Al Qaeda, Hizb ut-Tahrir, and others — many of which have already extended their terror activities into Russian territory — is a direct result of the Taliban’s seizure of power in Afghanistan.”
Russia’s recognition, announced Thursday following the formal acceptance of credentials from a Taliban-appointed ambassador, marks the first such move by any country since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021. Most nations have conditioned formal engagement on improvements in human rights, particularly those of women and girls.
Since taking control, the Taliban have barred women and girls from secondary and higher education, restricted their access to work and public life, and imposed severe limitations on press freedom and civil liberties.
