Russia Becomes First Country to Recognize Taliban Government in Afghanistan

Russia has formally recognized the Taliban government in Afghanistan, becoming the first country to do so since the Islamist group seized power in August 2021.

The announcement came on Thursday as Russia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed it had accepted credentials from Gul Hassan Hassan, the new Afghan ambassador appointed by the Taliban. A photo released by the ministry showed Hassan handing over his credentials to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko.

“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,” the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry highlighted potential areas of cooperation, including energy, transportation, agriculture, and infrastructure. It also reaffirmed Moscow’s commitment to support Kabul in regional security efforts and combating terrorism and drug trafficking.

The Taliban’s foreign ministry, in a post on X, welcomed Russia’s recognition, describing it as a positive and important development. Images shared included a meeting between Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Russian Ambassador to Kabul Dmitry Zhirnov.

Russia’s decision marks a significant shift in its foreign policy and international relations. Although the former Soviet Union fought a brutal nine-year war in Afghanistan in the 1980s, ending with a humiliating withdrawal in 1989, Russia has maintained diplomatic contact with the Taliban in recent years.

In April 2025, Russia removed its designation of the Taliban as a terrorist organization, paving the way for Thursday’s announcement.

While countries such as China, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates have hosted or exchanged envoys with the Taliban, none had formally recognized the group as Afghanistan’s legitimate government until now.

Despite the absence of formal recognition from most of the international community, the Taliban has continued to conduct business and sign deals with foreign entities. In 2023, a Chinese company signed an oil extraction agreement with the Taliban government.

Russia’s recognition comes amid growing efforts by the Taliban to seek legitimacy on the world stage. Since U.S. President Donald Trump began his second term earlier this year, Kabul has stepped up diplomatic outreach to Washington.

In March 2025, the U.S. removed millions of dollars in bounties from three Taliban officials and secured the release of two Americans detained in Afghanistan. Negotiations between the Taliban and American officials are ongoing, with proposals including the opening of an Afghan diplomatic mission in the U.S.

Though the U.S. has not formally recognized the Taliban, it has engaged with the group diplomatically in recent years. In 2020, the Trump administration signed an agreement with the Taliban for a full U.S. withdrawal, which was completed under President Biden in 2021 as the Taliban took over the country.