Russia made historical past Thursday by changing into the primary nation to formally acknowledge the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan. At a gathering in Kabul, Russian Ambassador Dmitry Zhirnov handed official recognition papers to Taliban International Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, who known as it a “brave step” that units an instance for different nations, in keeping with an AFP report.
The Taliban flag was raised over Afghanistan’s embassy in Moscow, changing the previous authorities’s banner, cementing the brand new relationship. This ends practically 4 years of global isolation for the Taliban, who seized energy in 2021 when U.S. troops withdrew after 20 years of struggle.
Why Russia took the lead
Russia’s resolution follows years of cautious steps towards the Taliban. Moscow eliminated the group from its terror record in April 2025, and President Vladimir Putin beforehand known as them “allies in opposition to terrorism”, particularly in opposition to ISIS-Okay, which attacked a Moscow live performance corridor in 2024.
Russia additionally sees financial alternatives, planning vitality and transport tasks by Afghanistan to succeed in Southeast Asia.
Regardless of its rocky historical past (Soviet troops fought Afghan rebels within the Nineteen Eighties), Russia now prioritizes regional stability and enterprise ties over previous conflicts.
International reactions and subsequent steps
Whereas China, Pakistan, and the UAE have Taliban ambassadors, no different nation has granted full recognition.
Western nations refuse to acknowledge the Taliban till they restore ladies’s rights, at present banning women from highschool and limiting ladies’s work and motion. The US nonetheless freezes $7 billion in Afghan property and imposes sanctions.
Germany, nevertheless, signaled it might comply with Russia’s lead, searching for Taliban cooperation to deport criminals to Afghanistan.
The U.S. State Division condemned Russia’s transfer as “harmful legitimization,” noting Taliban leaders stay underneath UN sanctions.
Germany hinted at potential engagement to facilitate deportations of Afghan criminals, however France and Britain reaffirmed calls for for women’ schooling and girls’s office rights first.
The Taliban’s latest ban on feminine NGO staff complicates issues, although Muttaqi guarantees “gradual reforms.”
With Russia’s backing, the Taliban now pushes for a UN Basic Meeting seat, although Western vetoes loom.
The Taliban now hope Russia’s transfer pressures extra nations to interact, although human rights issues stay a significant hurdle.
