Russia Became The First Country To Recognize Taliban Administration

TASS news agency has reported that the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the country has recognized the Taliban administration.

According to TASS, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed this recognition, with Zamir Kabulov, the special representative of the Russian President for Afghanistan, acknowledging the move in an interview with the news agency RIA Novosti. This makes Russia the first country to formally recognize the Taliban administration after nearly four years of Taliban control in Afghanistan.

Kabulov confirmed that Russia had accepted the Taliban government's legitimacy, further confirmed by Dmitry Zhirnov, Russia's ambassador in Kabul, who made the official announcement.

Despite Russia's recognition, the international community remains cautious, with no other country having recognized the Taliban regime as Afghanistan's official government. Global bodies and states continue to emphasize that any normalization of relations must be contingent upon the Taliban's respect for human rights, especially the rights of women and girls. This demand reflects the Taliban's ongoing repression of basic human freedoms, which remains a barrier to widespread recognition.

Before the Taliban's return to power in 2021, the group was listed by the United Nations as a terrorist organization, and Russia officially classified it as such. Despite this, after the Taliban's takeover in August 2021, Russia chose to engage with the new leadership. This shift in policy aligns with Russia's broader geopolitical goals, including securing influence in Afghanistan and the region, which has long been a point of strategic interest for Moscow.

In December 2024, Russia passed a law allowing organizations to be removed from the list of terrorist organizations by court order. This legal framework provided a pathway for the Taliban's status to be reconsidered within Russia, eventually leading to the suspension of the Taliban's terrorist designation. In April 2025, the Russian Supreme Court upheld the suspension of the Taliban's activity ban, signaling a new phase in Russia-Taliban relations.

While Russia's recognition of the Taliban may serve its geopolitical interests, it ignores the ongoing human rights violations perpetrated by the Taliban regime. Since taking power in 2021, the Taliban has systematically curtailed basic freedoms, particularly targeting women and girls. The regime has imposed severe restrictions on education, employment, and freedom of movement for women, reversing decades of progress in gender equality. This ongoing repression stands in stark contrast to the international community's calls for the protection of fundamental rights.

The Taliban's complete ban on girls' education beyond the sixth grade is one of its most egregious human rights violations. This ban denies Afghanistan girls the right to learn, limiting their future opportunities and keeping them trapped in cycles of poverty and oppression. The international community, including the United Nations and human rights organizations, has repeatedly condemned these actions, urging the Taliban to reverse its policies and allow girls to attend school without fear of persecution. Unfortunately, these calls have largely gone unheeded by the regime.

In addition to its attacks on women's rights, the Taliban has also severely restricted freedom of speech and the press. Journalists, activists, and civil society members who criticize the regime face imprisonment, torture, and even death. These actions undermine the fundamental principles of democracy and human rights, which the Taliban's supposed recognition by Russia fails to address. As the Taliban consolidates its power, the world must not turn a blind eye to its atrocities, especially in the context of international diplomatic dealings.

The international community must continue to hold the Taliban accountable for its human rights abuses. Until the regime demonstrates genuine commitment to these principles, its recognition by other states remains problematic and controversial.

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