Russia Officially Recognizes Taliban, Accepts Ambassador in Moscow

Russia has officially recognized the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan by accepting the credentials of their ambassador, Gul Hassan, marking the first formal recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power in 2021. This move signifies a major milestone in Afghan-Russian relations, with Moscow expressing intentions to deepen cooperation in security, counter-terrorism, trade, energy, transport, agriculture, and infrastructure. Russian President Vladimir Putin has described the Taliban as allies in combating terrorism, and Russia lifted its terrorist designation of the group earlier in 2025. The Taliban’s ambassador pledged to manage embassy affairs with dedication, signaling a commitment to closer diplomatic and economic ties. Although several countries including China, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan have engaged with the Taliban by appointing envoys, none have yet formally recognized the group as Afghanistan’s legitimate government. Russia’s recognition is likely to impact the international community’s stance, especially Washington’s ongoing sanctions and asset freezes affecting Afghanistan’s financial system.