MOSCOW / KABUL — In a significant diplomatic shift, Russia has become the first country to officially recognize the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan. The development was confirmed by the Russian presidential envoy for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, after Moscow accepted the credentials of Afghanistan’s new ambassador.
According to Russian news agency RIA Novosti, the move marks a major step in formalizing bilateral relations with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, which came into power in August 2021 after the collapse of President Ashraf Ghani’s government.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry stated that recognizing the Taliban regime will help strengthen constructive cooperation between the two countries in various sectors. The ministry also emphasized its commitment to continued collaboration on security, counter-terrorism, and narcotics control.
The ministry further noted that Afghanistan and Russia have significant potential for trade and economic partnerships, particularly in energy, transportation, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Confirming the move, the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Russian Ambassador Dmitry Zhirnov met with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to officially convey the decision. In response, Muttaqi lauded the “bold step” by Russia, expressing hope that other nations would follow suit.
While countries such as China, the UAE, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan have posted ambassadors in Kabul, none have formally recognized the Taliban government. Russia is now the first to grant full diplomatic recognition.
This move comes as Afghanistan faces a dire economic crisis, with nearly $7 billion in assets frozen by the United States. Russian support could provide the Taliban with a crucial diplomatic and economic lifeline.
Relations between Moscow and the Taliban have evolved significantly over recent years. Although Russia had designated the Taliban a terrorist group in 2003, that classification was officially lifted in April 2025. The two sides have also increased cooperation, including trade in oil, gas, and wheat since 2022.
Russia’s interest in a stable Afghanistan is partly driven by its concerns over militant threats emanating from Afghan soil. In March 2024, a deadly attack on a concert hall near Moscow, claimed by ISIS, killed 149 people. The Taliban has since assured Moscow that Afghan territory would not be used to harbor or launch terrorist operations.
This growing relationship underscores a dramatic realignment in regional geopolitics — and marks a notable chapter in Russia’s long, complex history with Afghanistan, dating back to the Soviet invasion in 1979.
