Russia has officially accepted the Taliban’s nomination for ambassador to Moscow, marking a significant development in the normalization of diplomatic ties between the two nations.
According to a statement from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the move is expected to bolster political and economic cooperation. Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said he hopes the appointment will open new avenues for bilateral collaboration in various sectors.
This diplomatic shift follows Russia’s decision in April to lift its long-standing ban on the Taliban, whom it had designated a terrorist organization over two decades ago. Though the Taliban has ruled Afghanistan since the U.S. military withdrawal in 2021, it has yet to gain formal recognition from the international community.
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Diplomatic analysts say the presentation of ambassadorial credentials to a host nation is often considered a step toward official recognition. While Russia has not formally recognized the Taliban government, the acceptance of a Taliban envoy is being interpreted as a symbolic acknowledgment.
China became the first country to formally accept a Taliban ambassador in 2023. Pakistan has also allowed a Taliban envoy to operate in Islamabad, with officials citing a return to normalized relations.
Observers view Moscow’s latest move as part of a broader regional trend of pragmatic engagement with Afghanistan’s de facto rulers despite continued global hesitance.
