Russia Becomes First Country to Recognise Taliban Government: What It Means for the Region
In a historic diplomatic move, Russia has become the first country in the world to officially recognise Afghanistan’s Taliban government. This decision signals a dramatic shift in Moscow’s foreign policy in Central Asia and sets the stage for significant geopolitical and economic developments in the region.
The announcement came after Russia’s Supreme Court lifted the Taliban’s “terrorist” designation in April 2025 — a clear sign that the Kremlin intended to normalise ties. Now, by accepting the credentials of Afghanistan’s new ambassador, Russia has taken the unprecedented step of full diplomatic recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
A Brave Move with Global Implications
“This brave decision will be an example for others,” said Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi during his meeting with Dmitry Zhirnov, Russia’s ambassador to Kabul. The Taliban hopes that Moscow’s move will encourage other countries to follow suit, ending years of diplomatic isolation since the group retook power in August 2021 after the withdrawal of US forces.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the move would provide an “impetus to the development of productive bilateral cooperation” across various fields. For Moscow, recognising the Taliban offers potential economic and security benefits — and a chance to expand its regional clout while counterbalancing Western influence.
From Enemies to Allies in the Fight Against Terrorism
This decision marks a dramatic reversal from past hostilities. The Taliban’s roots lie in the Mujahideen fighters who once battled Soviet forces during the brutal Soviet-Afghan War in the 1980s. After the Taliban emerged during the Afghan Civil War in the 1990s, Russia designated it a terrorist organisation in 2003 for allegedly supporting North Caucasus separatists.
However, the Taliban’s resurgence as Afghanistan’s ruling power has changed the calculus. In recent years, Russia has viewed the Taliban as a potential ally in combating Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), which has carried out deadly attacks in both Afghanistan and Russia. In July 2024, President Vladimir Putin even called the Taliban “allies in the fight against terrorism”.
A New Economic and Strategic Partner
Since the US withdrawal, Moscow has steadily strengthened ties with the Taliban authorities. Taliban delegations have attended Russia’s flagship economic forums in Saint Petersburg, and the group’s diplomats have met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow.
With the new recognition, Russia aims to transform Afghanistan into a regional transit hub, especially for natural gas bound for Southeast Asia. The Kremlin is also positioning itself to benefit from potential mining and trade deals in Afghanistan, a country rich in untapped natural resources.
The Path Ahead: Isolation or Integration?
While Russia’s move is a landmark, Afghanistan’s Taliban government still lacks official recognition from any major international body, including the United Nations, which continues to refer to it as the “Taliban de facto authorities”. The US has frozen billions in Afghan central bank reserves and maintains sanctions on some Taliban leaders, crippling Afghanistan’s banking sector and economy.
By breaking ranks, Russia is betting that engagement will yield better results than isolation. However, the move will be watched closely by Washington and its allies, who worry that normalising the Taliban without concrete human rights guarantees — especially for women and minorities — could embolden the group’s hardline policies.
A Regional Shift in Power
Moscow’s decision could spark a domino effect among neighbouring countries seeking stability and trade opportunities with Afghanistan. Whether other nations will follow Russia’s lead remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Kremlin has positioned itself as a key power broker in post-war Afghanistan.
As the Taliban celebrates Russia becoming the first country to recognise its rule, the world is left to watch how this bold gamble will reshape Afghanistan’s future — and the delicate balance of power across South and Central Asia.
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