Afghanistan’s government announced on Thursday that Russia has become the first country to formally recognise the Taliban-led administration, describing the move as a “courageous decision.”
The declaration followed a meeting in Kabul between Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Russia’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov.
In a video posted on X, Muttaqi praised Russia’s recognition, saying, “This courageous step will set an example for others… Russia has taken the lead in the recognition process.”
Zia Ahmad Takal, spokesman for the Taliban’s foreign ministry, confirmed to AFP that Russia is the first nation to officially acknowledge the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the Taliban’s official name for their government.
Zamir Kabulov, Moscow’s special envoy for Afghanistan, told the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti that the Taliban government had been “recognised” by Russia.
Russia’s foreign ministry also verified the news to the TASS agency.
While other countries such as China and Pakistan maintain Taliban diplomatic representatives in their capitals, none have formally recognised the Islamic Emirate until now.
