MOSCOW—Being the first major world power to formally establish diplomatic relations with the Islamist rule, Russia has made history by formally recognizing the Taliban government in Afghanistan.
The action comes after the Taliban were struck from the Russian Supreme Court’s list of terrorist groups in April, which had been in effect since 2003. Following the disorganized withdrawal of US and NATO forces, the Taliban regained control of the country in August 2021 and changed its name to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
Ghulam Hassan, Afghanistan’s recently nominated ambassador to Moscow, had his credentials formally accepted by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko on Thursday, strengthening diplomatic relations. Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s presidential envoy to Afghanistan, attested to the acknowledgment.
For the first time since the Taliban’s takeover, the black-and-white flag was flown over the Afghan embassy in Moscow, according to media sources.
Dmitry Zhirnov, Russia’s ambassador to Kabul, stated that President Vladimir Putin decided to recognize the country on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s suggestion. Zhirnov emphasized Moscow’s dedication to establishing a “full-fledged partnership” with the Afghan people by pointing out that Russia was the first to acknowledge Afghanistan’s independence more than a century ago.
Some regional nations have begun reestablishing contact with Kabul, even though the majority of the international community has not yet recognized the Taliban authority.
Uzbekistan inked a number of deals with the Taliban in August, Turkmenistan restored collaboration through the TAPI gas pipeline project, while Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan withdrew the Taliban from their terrorist lists earlier this year.
Suhail Shaheen, Afghanistan’s ambassador to Qatar, praised Russia’s move, describing it as a “possibility for collaboration” and asking other countries to follow Moscow’s example.
