Russia has become the first country to officially recognize the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan.
In a statement on July 3, 2025, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow saw strong prospects for developing ties and would continue to support Kabul in areas such as security and counterterrorism.
Russia announced that it had accepted the credentials of Afghanistan’s new ambassador.
“We believe that the act of official recognition of the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will give impetus to the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries in various fields,” the ministry said.
Russia Recognizes Taliban Govt
The declaration followed a meeting in Kabul between Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, and Russia’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov.
Further, Amir Khan Muttaqi expressed hope that Russia’s decision would set an example for other countries, which have been reluctant to recognize a regime that enforces a strict version of Sharia law and imposes severe restrictions on women and girls.
He also said Russia saw potential for commercial and economic cooperation with Afghanistan in areas such as energy, transportation, agriculture, and infrastructure.
It also pledged continued support to Kabul in addressing terrorism and drug trafficking. The Taliban was removed from Russia’s list of terrorist organizations in April this year.
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About Taliban Government
By 1994, the Taliban had advanced through southern Afghanistan, seizing several provinces from rival armed factions that had been battling for control following the collapse of the Soviet-backed Afghan government in 1992.
The Taliban went on to capture Kabul and declared the establishment of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
The group returned to power in August 2021.
The Taliban declared an interim government in Afghanistan after seizing power on 15 August 2021, following the collapse of the Afghan National Security Forces and the fall of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
Afghanistan continues to face severe humanitarian and economic challenges, further worsened by natural disasters, including the earthquakes of June 2022 and October 2023, as well as the floods in April 2024.
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Under Their Rule
The Taliban have enforced a strict interpretation of Islamic law, despite earlier pledges to uphold the rights of women and religious and ethnic minorities.
Additionally, the United Nations (UN) has raised concerns over ongoing human rights violations in Afghanistan.
Under Taliban rule, most girls have been denied secondary education and female employment has been severely restricted.
However, the Taliban government has denied the allegations, stating that it respects women’s rights.
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