MOSCOW — In a move that could shake up international diplomacy, Russia has officially recognised the Taliban-led government of Afghanistan becoming the first country to do so since the group seized power in 2021.
The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed on Thursday that it had formally accepted the credentials of Afghanistan’s new ambassador in Moscow, effectively acknowledging the Islamic Emirate as the country’s legitimate government.
“We believe that the act of official recognition… will give impetus to the development of productive bilateral cooperation,” said the Ministry in a statement. It outlined plans to expand ties in trade, energy, transport, agriculture, and security.
The Taliban, who took over Afghanistan after the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops nearly four years ago, has struggled to gain international recognition. Russia’s move now gives the group its first formal diplomatic breakthrough.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi welcomed the gesture, calling it “a courageous step” and expressing hope that “others will follow.”
A Shift in Global Positioning
While no Western country has officially recognised the Taliban regime, several including China, the UAE, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan have taken diplomatic steps like appointing ambassadors to Kabul. But Russia’s open recognition breaks a long-standing barrier.
The move is expected to be watched closely in Washington, which has imposed sanctions on top Taliban officials and frozen billions in Afghan central bank assets. The U.S. has cited ongoing human rights violations, especially concerning women’s rights, as a key reason for withholding recognition.
The Taliban has barred women and girls from secondary schools and universities, and has enforced strict rules requiring women to travel only with male guardians. Although the group insists it respects women’s rights “according to Islamic law,” most Western nations remain unconvinced.
From Enemy to Ally?
Russia’s relationship with the Taliban has transformed in recent years. In 2003, Moscow listed the group as a terrorist organisation. That designation was lifted in April this year.
President Vladimir Putin has since suggested that the Taliban could now be a useful partner in combating terrorism. Afghanistan has already begun importing oil, gas, and wheat from Russia since 2022, deepening economic ties between the two countries.
Security is a driving factor. In March 2024, a deadly attack in Moscow left 149 people dead. U.S. intelligence linked the assault to Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K), a violent group operating in Afghanistan. The Taliban has claimed it is actively fighting ISIS-K within its borders.
“Russia has clear security interests in cooperating with Kabul, especially after the Moscow concert hall attack,” said a European security analyst based in Brussels. “It sees the Taliban as a stabilising force, not an ideal one, but a necessary one.”
A Complicated Past
Russia’s history in Afghanistan is fraught. Soviet forces invaded in 1979 to support a communist government, but became entangled in a bloody conflict with U.S.-backed mujahideen fighters. The war lasted a decade and claimed the lives of around 15,000 Soviet soldiers. The final withdrawal in 1989 marked one of the Soviet Union’s most painful military failures.
This new chapter appears to be driven more by realpolitik than nostalgia. With Afghanistan still largely isolated, Moscow sees an opportunity to expand influence and possibly outmanoeuvre the West in Central Asia.
