Russia becomes first nation to formally recognize Taliban-led government in Afghanistan

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FILE - Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi (left) stands alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during a regional conference in Moscow. Russia recently became the first country to formally recognize the Taliban-led government in Afgh

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Russia has officially recognized the Taliban government in Afghanistan, becoming the first country to do so since the militant group took power nearly three years ago. The move follows Moscow’s decision earlier this year to remove the Taliban from its list of banned organizations and signals a significant diplomatic shift in the region.

Russian officials said the decision—approved by President Vladimir Putin on the recommendation of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov—was aimed at building full-fledged relations with Afghanistan and encouraging stability in the war-torn country.

Why is Russia recognizing the Taliban now?

The backstory:

The Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021 after the U.S. and NATO completed their withdrawal. Since then, the group has ruled the country under a strict interpretation of Islamic law and has faced widespread international criticism for restricting women’s rights and education.

Despite efforts by the Taliban to gain global legitimacy, no government had formally recognized their leadership—until now. While countries like China and the United Arab Emirates have maintained diplomatic contacts, Russia’s move marks the first official recognition of the Taliban as Afghanistan’s government.

What we know:

The Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday that it had received diplomatic credentials from Gul Hassan Hassan, the Taliban-appointed ambassador to Moscow. The ministry called the move a way to boost "productive bilateral cooperation."

Russia’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, told state broadcaster Channel One that the decision to recognize the Taliban government came directly from President Putin, calling it a sign of Russia’s "sincere striving" to develop relations.

Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry praised the decision as historic, quoting Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, who said it was "a good example for other countries."

What we don't know:

It remains unclear how other countries will respond to Russia’s recognition. No Western governments have formally accepted the Taliban’s leadership due to concerns over human rights, terrorism, and the treatment of women and minorities.

There is also uncertainty about how this recognition will translate into tangible support or investment, given Afghanistan’s continued economic and humanitarian crises.

What's next:

Russia’s recognition could open the door for additional diplomatic relationships, particularly with countries in Central Asia or others seeking regional influence. However, meaningful shifts in international recognition will likely depend on changes in Taliban governance, especially around women’s rights and education.