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Russia acknowledges Taliban administration in Afghanistan
(MENAFN) Russia has officially recognized the Taliban as Afghanistan’s legitimate government, marking the first time a major global power has established formal diplomatic relations with the Islamist regime.
The move follows Russia’s Supreme Court decision in April to remove the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations, lifting a ban that had been in place since 2003. The Taliban returned to power in August 2021 after the withdrawal of US and NATO forces and renamed the country the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
On Thursday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko formally accepted the credentials of Afghanistan’s newly appointed ambassador to Moscow, Ghulam Hassan — a clear signal of diplomatic recognition. When asked by RIA Novosti if this amounted to formal recognition, Russia’s special envoy to Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, confirmed it did.
Reports also noted that the Taliban’s black-and-white flag now flies over the Afghan embassy in Moscow for the first time since 2021, replacing the former tricolor flag banned by the Taliban.
Russia’s ambassador to Kabul, Dmitry Zhirnov, said the recognition was a decision by President Vladimir Putin, following advice from Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Zhirnov highlighted that Russia had also been the first to recognize Afghanistan’s independence over a century ago, underscoring Moscow’s intent to build a full partnership with Afghanistan and support its people.
Although most of the international community has not recognized the Taliban government, several Central Asian nations have recently reestablished ties. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan removed the Taliban from their terrorist lists in mid-2024, while Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have resumed cooperation with Kabul on energy and infrastructure projects.
Afghanistan’s ambassador to Qatar, Suhail Shaheen, welcomed Russia’s decision, calling it an opportunity for collaboration and urging other nations to follow Moscow’s lead.
The move follows Russia’s Supreme Court decision in April to remove the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations, lifting a ban that had been in place since 2003. The Taliban returned to power in August 2021 after the withdrawal of US and NATO forces and renamed the country the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
On Thursday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko formally accepted the credentials of Afghanistan’s newly appointed ambassador to Moscow, Ghulam Hassan — a clear signal of diplomatic recognition. When asked by RIA Novosti if this amounted to formal recognition, Russia’s special envoy to Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, confirmed it did.
Reports also noted that the Taliban’s black-and-white flag now flies over the Afghan embassy in Moscow for the first time since 2021, replacing the former tricolor flag banned by the Taliban.
Russia’s ambassador to Kabul, Dmitry Zhirnov, said the recognition was a decision by President Vladimir Putin, following advice from Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Zhirnov highlighted that Russia had also been the first to recognize Afghanistan’s independence over a century ago, underscoring Moscow’s intent to build a full partnership with Afghanistan and support its people.
Although most of the international community has not recognized the Taliban government, several Central Asian nations have recently reestablished ties. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan removed the Taliban from their terrorist lists in mid-2024, while Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have resumed cooperation with Kabul on energy and infrastructure projects.
Afghanistan’s ambassador to Qatar, Suhail Shaheen, welcomed Russia’s decision, calling it an opportunity for collaboration and urging other nations to follow Moscow’s lead.
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