In a landmark diplomatic shift, Russia has become the first country to officially recognize the Taliban-led government of Afghanistan since the Islamist group seized power in August 2021. The Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that it has formally accepted credentials from the Taliban’s newly appointed ambassador, Gul Hassan Hassan, marking a historic move toward normalized relations.
“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 in various fields,” the Russian foreign ministry stated. It emphasized potential collaboration in trade, energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and regional security.
Photos released by the ministry showed Gul Hassan Hassan presenting his credentials to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko in Moscow. In parallel, Russia’s Ambassador to Kabul, Dmitry Zhirnov, met with Taliban Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi to officially convey Moscow’s recognition.
The Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs hailed the decision as “positive and important,” further legitimizing the group’s quest for international acceptance following years of diplomatic isolation.
Russia’s recognition carries historical significance, considering the former Soviet Union’s protracted war in Afghanistan from 1979 to 1989 against the Afghan mujahideen — some of whom would later form the core of the Taliban movement. Despite this legacy, Russia maintained a diplomatic mission in Kabul even after the Taliban returned to power following the chaotic U.S. withdrawal in 2021.
Earlier in April 2025, Russia took a major step toward normalization by removing the Taliban from its list of banned terrorist organizations. Recognition by Moscow is expected to boost the Taliban’s efforts to engage with international financial systems and attract foreign investment.
While countries like China, Qatar, and the UAE have maintained ties and exchanged diplomats with the Taliban, they have stopped short of full recognition. Russia’s move is the first by any United Nations Security Council permanent member to extend formal diplomatic legitimacy to the regime.
The Taliban has also ramped up efforts for U.S. recognition, particularly since Donald Trump returned to the presidency in early 2025. A series of diplomatic gestures — including the release of American prisoners and the removal of bounties on Taliban officials — have marked a tentative thaw in relations.
A March 2025 meeting between U.S. and Taliban representatives in Qatar explored proposals for deeper diplomatic engagement, including the establishment of a quasi-embassy in the United States. However, Washington has not yet taken concrete steps toward recognition.
Russia’s bold move may influence the international landscape surrounding Afghanistan, especially as the Taliban continues to seek greater legitimacy and economic engagement with the world.
