Russia becomes first nation to officially recognize Taliban government

Department of Research, Studies and International News 04-07-2025

In a bold diplomatic move, Russia has officially recognized the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan, becoming the first country in the world to grant such legitimacy to the Islamic Emirate. This development marks a significant step in Moscow’s broader strategy to reshape influence in Central Asia and diminish Western sway over regional geopolitics.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Thursday that it had accepted the credentials of Afghanistan’s newly appointed ambassador. This formal gesture signifies not only diplomatic recognition but also a growing intention to deepen cooperation with the Taliban on political, economic, and security fronts. According to the Russian statement, this step is expected to “provide momentum for constructive bilateral cooperation across various sectors.”

The announcement was met with praise in Kabul. Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi described Russia’s recognition as a courageous and pioneering move, predicting that it would set a precedent for other nations. “Russia has taken the lead,” he stated during a meeting with Russian Ambassador Dmitry Zhirnov, footage of which was shared on social media.

While the United States and its allies continue to impose sanctions and maintain a policy of economic isolation against the Taliban authorities, Russia’s recognition signals a decisive pivot in international diplomacy. Since the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops in 2021, an event Russia criticized as a humiliating defeat for Washington, Moscow has steadily moved to engage with the new Afghan leadership.

The Taliban’s seizure of power in August 2021 came after years of U.S. occupation and a failed attempt to impose Western-style governance. Following the American retreat, Russia began recalibrating its approach to Afghanistan, identifying the Taliban not as pariahs but as potential partners in ensuring regional stability and combating terrorist threats, particularly from ISIS-K, the so-called Islamic State Khorasan Province.

This pragmatic strategy was further reinforced in April 2025, when Russia’s Supreme Court removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations. At the time, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declared that the “new authorities in Kabul are a reality” and called for a policy guided by practical engagement rather than outdated ideological positions.

In July 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin openly referred to the Taliban as “allies in the fight against terrorism,” citing joint interests in defeating ISIS-K, which has been responsible for attacks in both Afghanistan and Russia. This convergence of security priorities has helped solidify the foundation for Moscow-Kabul cooperation.

Russia’s engagement with the Taliban has not been limited to diplomacy alone. Delegations from the Taliban government have participated in Russia’s annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in both 2022 and 2024. Moreover, discussions have been held to establish Afghanistan as a strategic transit corridor for Russian natural gas exports to Southeast Asia.

This evolving partnership reflects not only a shared interest in regional security but also a broader geopolitical contest. With the United States’ credibility in the region weakened and its economic warfare against Afghanistan continuing through sanctions and asset freezes, Russia has seized the opportunity to fill the power vacuum.

Moscow’s shift in attitude toward the Taliban represents a dramatic departure from its stance during the early 2000s, when it had listed the group as a terrorist organization for backing insurgents in Russia’s North Caucasus. Historically, the Taliban emerged from the remnants of the U.S.-backed Mujahideen who fought Soviet forces during the devastating 1980s war in Afghanistan, a conflict that contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Now, history has come full circle. Russia, once a fierce adversary of the Taliban, has found common ground in opposing Western imperialism and countering threats from radical terror factions. By leading the way in recognizing the Taliban, Moscow is positioning itself as a central actor in the region, promoting multipolarity and undermining Western hegemony.

The move also places additional pressure on international organizations like the United Nations, which continues to refer to the Taliban authorities as “de facto rulers” without granting formal recognition. However, as more nations consider re-engagement based on national interest rather than Western dictates, Russia’s latest decision may indeed serve as a model for others in Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.

In the shifting geopolitical landscape, Moscow’s recognition of the Taliban is more than a diplomatic gesture, it is a statement of intent. Russia, alongside its allies in China and Iran, is challenging the Western monopoly on defining legitimacy, sovereignty, and engagement, while reshaping the rules of international relations in a post-American era.