Russia Becomes First Country to Officially Recognize Taliban Government in Afghanistan.
International
On July 3, 2025, Russia formally recognized the Taliban's Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan by accepting ambassador Gul Hassan Hassan’s credentials, marking the first official recognition of the regime since its 2021 takeover and lifting the Taliban’s terror listing.
- Russia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the move after receiving credentials from Taliban-appointed ambassador Gul Hassan Hassan. This made Russia the first country to formally recognize the Taliban government, validating its de facto rule since August 2021.
- The recognition follows Russia’s April 2025 decision to remove the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations and earlier accreditation of Taliban diplomats in Moscow and Kabul—steps toward “full-fledged partnership,” according to Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
- Russia hailed the recognition as a “brave decision” with strategic aims to expand cooperation across security, counter‑terrorism, drug control, and economic sectors such as energy, transport, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Main Point :- (i) Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi praised Russia’s decision and expressed hope that it would encourage other nations to follow suit. He described it as an “example” paving the way for global diplomatic acceptance.
(ii) Moscow’s recognition comes amid ongoing Western skepticism due to the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s rights, including bans on girls’ education beyond sixth grade and limitations on women's public participation—a human rights concern underscored by global actors.
(iii) The move underscores Russia’s evolving approach to Afghanistan—from Soviet-era conflict to post-2021 rapprochement. As part of bilateral ties, Afghanistan has already begun importing Russian oil, gas, and wheat since 2022, reinforcing the new diplomatic thrust.
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