Russia becomes first big nation to formally recognize Taliban in Afghanistan
Taliban (Photo: Getty Images)
Russia has made a bold diplomatic statement. The Taliban has taken an important step toward international recognition, the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on July 3, according to a post on the social media platform X.
The Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Russia has officially declared its recognition of the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, formed by the Taliban movement.
The announcement was made during a meeting in Kabul between Russian Ambassador Dmitry Zhirnov and Taliban Foreign Minister Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi.
“During the meeting, the Russian ambassador officially announced the decision of the Russian government to recognize the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The ambassador emphasized the importance of this decision,” the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
This announcement effectively makes Russia the first major world power to officially recognize the Taliban government since its return to power in 2021.
It remains unclear whether this recognition includes the formal establishment of diplomatic relations or the signing of new agreements.
آقای دیمیتری ژیرنوف، سفیر فدراسیون روسیه با مولوی امیرخان متقی وزیر امور خارجهٔ ا.ا.ا. ملاقات نمود.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Afghanistan (@MoFA_Afg) July 3, 2025
درین نشست سفیر روسیه تصمیم حکومت روسیه مبنی بر بهرسمیت شناختن امارت اسلامی افغانستان از سوی فدراسیون روسیه را رسماً ابلاغ نمود.
آقای سفیر به اهمیت این تصمیم اشاره نمود pic.twitter.com/CxiP9q0ops
The Taliban, which has ruled Afghanistan for nearly four years, has not yet been formally recognized by any UN member state. Nevertheless, the group maintains working contacts with several countries, including China, Russia, Iran, Qatar, and others.
At the end of May 2025, the US announced that it was considering designating the Taliban as a foreign terrorist organization.
Additionally, US authorities have been actively revoking humanitarian status for Afghan refugees.
