Russia has announced that it accepted the credentials of a new Afghan ambassador in Moscow, making it the first country in the world to officially recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated, “We believe that the act of officially recognizing the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will give momentum to the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries in various fields.” This move marks a significant diplomatic shift following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister welcomed Russia’s decision to become the first nation to recognize the Taliban-led government, calling the move “courageous” and believing it will set an example for others. “This courageous decision will serve as a model for other countries. Now that the recognition process has begun, Russia has taken the lead,” said Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi during a meeting with Russian Ambassador to Kabul Dmitry Zhirnov, according to a video posted on the X platform.
The Russian Foreign Ministry also expressed optimism about future relations and affirmed its commitment to continuing support for Kabul in areas such as security, counterterrorism, and combating drug-related crime. Russia sees strong potential for economic and trade cooperation, particularly in energy, transportation, agriculture, and infrastructure development. This recognition is expected to pave the way for deeper diplomatic and strategic engagement between the two nations.