Russia Becomes First Country to Recognise Taliban Government

4 July, 2025:

Breaking diplomatic ground, Russia on Thursday formally recognised the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, the first country to do so since the group took power in 2021 after removing it from its list of banned organisations.

Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with Russia's Ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, in Kabul on Thursday, where Mr. Zhirnov officially conveyed his government's decision to recognize the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

“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,” said the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement on Thursday.

It said Russia saw the potential for "commercial and economic" cooperation in "energy, transportation, agriculture and infrastructure", and that it would continue to help Kabul to fight against the threats of terrorism and drug trafficking.

The move makes Russia the first country in the world to recognise the country’s Taliban government. “This brave decision will be an example for others,” Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said in a video of a meeting on Thursday with Dmitry Zhirnov, the Russian ambassador to Kabul, posted on X.

"Russia is the first country that has officially recognised the Islamic Emirate," Taliban foreign ministry spokesman Zia Ahmad Takal told AFP, using the government's name for their administration.

Multiple other states, including China and Pakistan, have Taliban ambassadors in their capitals, but have not officially recognised the Islamic Emirate.