Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry called it a historic step, and quoted Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi as welcoming the decision as "a good example for other countries.”
MOSCOW — Russia on Thursday (July 3, 2025) became the first country to formally recognise the Taliban’s government in Afghanistan since it seized power in 2021, after Moscow removed the group from its list of outlawed organisations.
The Russian Foreign Ministry announced that it had received credentials from Afghanistan’s newly appointed Ambassador Gul Hassan Hassan.
The official recognition of the Afghan government will foster “productive bilateral cooperation between our countries,” the Ministry said in a statement.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry called it a historic step, and quoted Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi as welcoming the decision as “a good example for other countries.”
Amir Khan Muttaqi met Russia’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, in Kabul on Thursday,where Mr Zhirnov officially conveyed his government’s decision to recognise the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
Members of the Taliban mark the third anniversary of the fall of Kabul in 2024. — Reuters
Muttaqi said it was “a new phase of positive relations, mutual respect, and constructive engagement.”
The Taliban have sought international recognition and investment since they returned to power in August 2021.
“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 between our countries,” Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
Russia was one of very few countries that did not close down their embassy in Afghanistan in 2021, and said on Telegram that “expanding the dialogue with Kabul” was critical in terms of regional security and economic development.
The country was also the first to sign an international economic deal with the Taliban in 2022, where they agreed to supply oil, gas and wheat to Afghanistan.
The Taliban was removed from Russia’s list of terrorist organisations in April this year with the intention to pave the way for the establishment of a “full-fledged partnership” with Kabul, according to the Russian foreign ministry. — Agencies
Cover photo: Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi
