On July 3, 2025, Russia officially accepted the credentials of a new Afghan ambassador, making it the first country in the world to recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan.
This major announcement was made by the Russian Foreign Ministry. They said Russia wants to build strong relations with Kabul and will help Afghanistan in areas like security, fighting terrorism, and stopping drug-related crimes.
Russia also said there are big trade and investment opportunities with Afghanistan, especially in energy, transportation, agriculture, and infrastructure.
“We believe that by officially recognizing the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, we can start more cooperation in different sectors,” the Russian statement added.
Taliban Welcomes the Move
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi called the decision a “brave step” and expressed hope that other countries will follow Russia’s lead.
Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, after the U.S. and its allies left the country, no country had officially recognized the Taliban government—until now.
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Some countries like China, UAE, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan have appointed ambassadors to Kabul but haven’t formally recognized the Taliban yet.
What This Means for the Taliban
This recognition is a major breakthrough for the Taliban, who have been trying to end their international isolation.
However, this move will be closely watched by the United States, which still holds billions of dollars from Afghanistan’s central bank and has imposed sanctions on top Taliban leaders. These sanctions have almost completely disconnected Afghanistan’s banking system from the rest of the world.
A Complicated Relationship
Russia’s relationship with the Taliban has changed over the years. In 2003, Russia listed the Taliban as a terrorist group but lifted that ban in April 2025.
Now, Russia sees the Taliban as a partner in fighting terrorism. In fact, Afghanistan has been importing oil, gas, and wheat from Russia since 2022.
Russia also has security concerns in the region. In March 2024, a terrorist attack killed 149 people at a concert hall near Moscow. The U.S. later said that Daesh’s Afghan branch was responsible.
The Taliban claim they are actively fighting Daesh inside Afghanistan.
Women’s Rights Still a Big Issue
Even though Russia recognized the Taliban, many Western countries say they won’t do the same unless the Taliban improves women’s rights.
The Taliban government has banned girls and women from schools and universities, and they must be accompanied by a male guardian in public.
In response, the Taliban says it respects women’s rights but only according to their interpretation of Islamic law.
A Look Back at Russia’s Past in Afghanistan
Russia (then the Soviet Union) has a bloody history in Afghanistan. In 1979, Soviet troops invaded Afghanistan to support the Communist government but ended up fighting a long war against U.S.-backed mujahideen fighters.
The war lasted until 1989, when Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev pulled out the troops. During that time, around 15,000 Soviet soldiers lost their lives.
Source: Arab News
