Russia Officially Recognizes Taliban Government, Marking First UN Security Council Member to Do So

In a notable diplomatic development, Russia has emerged as the first nation to officially recognize the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan since the group's takeover in August 2021. On Thursday, the Russian Foreign Ministry revealed that it had formally accepted the credentials of Gul Hassan Hassan, the Taliban's newly appointed ambassador, signifying a historic step towards normalized relations.

The Russian foreign ministry stated that the official recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan's government is expected to stimulate productive bilateral cooperation across several fields, including trade, energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and regional security.

Photographs released by the ministry depict Gul Hassan Hassan presenting his credentials to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko in Moscow. Concurrently, Dmitry Zhirnov, Russia’s Ambassador to Kabul, met with Taliban Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi to formally communicate Moscow's recognition.

The Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the decision, calling it "positive and important" as the group continues its pursuit of international acceptance after years of diplomatic isolation.

The recognition from Russia carries significant historical weight, given the Soviet Union's protracted conflict in Afghanistan from 1979 to 1989 against the mujahideen fighters, some of whom later became integral to the Taliban. Despite this past, Russia retained a diplomatic presence in Kabul even after the Taliban regained power following the tumultuous U.S. withdrawal in 2021.

In April 2025, Russia made a significant move towards normalizing relations by removing the Taliban from its list of banned terrorist organizations. Moscow's recognition is anticipated to aid the Taliban in engaging with international financial systems and attracting foreign investments.

Although nations such as China, Qatar, and the UAE have maintained diplomatic relations with the Taliban and exchanged diplomats, they have not granted full recognition. Russia's decision marks the first instance of a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council formally acknowledging the regime.

The Taliban has intensified efforts for recognition from the U.S., particularly after Donald Trump returned to the presidency in early 2025. Several diplomatic overtures, including the release of American prisoners and the lifting of bounties on Taliban officials, have hinted at a potential easing of tensions.

A meeting in March 2025 between U.S. and Taliban representatives in Qatar explored the possibility of deeper diplomatic engagement, including the establishment of a quasi-embassy in the U.S. However, Washington has yet to take definitive steps towards recognition.

Russia's decisive action may influence the global diplomatic environment concerning Afghanistan as the Taliban continues its drive for greater legitimacy and economic engagement on the international stage.