Russia becomes first country to recognise Taliban government
The Russian Foreign Ministry announced that it had received credentials from Afghanistan's newly appointed Ambassador Gul Hassan Hassan.
The official recognition of the Afghan government will foster 'productive bilateral cooperation", the ministry said in a statement.
Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry called it a historic step, and quoted Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi welcoming the decision as "a good example for other countries".
He said it was "a new phase of positive relations, mutual respect, and constructive engagement".
The Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021 following the withdrawal of US and NATO forces.
Since then, they have sought international recognition while also enforcing their strict interpretation of Islamic law.
While no country had formally recognised the Taliban administration until now, the group had engaged in high-level talks with many nations and established some diplomatic ties with countries including China and the United Arab Emirates.
Still, the Taliban government has been relatively isolated on the world stage, largely over its restrictions on women.
Although the Taliban initially promised a more moderate rule than during their first stint in power from 1996 to 2001, it started to enforce restrictions on women and girls soon after the 2021 takeover.
Women are barred from most jobs and public places, including parks, baths and gyms, while girls are banned from education beyond sixth grade.
Russian officials have recently been emphasising the need to engage with the Taliban to help stabilise Afghanistan, and lifted a ban on the Taliban in April.
In July 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the Taliban "allies in the fight against terrorism".
Russia's ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, said the decision to recognise the Taliban government officially was made by President Vladimir Putin on advice from Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Mr Zhirnov said the decision proves Russia's 'sincere striving for the development of full-fledged relations with Afghanistan".
AP/AFP
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Russia becomes first country to recognise Taliban government
Russia has become the first country to formally recognise the Taliban's government in Afghanistan since it seized power in 2021, after Moscow removed the group from its list of outlawed organisations. The Russian Foreign Ministry announced that it had received credentials from Afghanistan's newly appointed Ambassador Gul Hassan Hassan. The official recognition of the Afghan government will foster 'productive bilateral cooperation", the ministry said in a statement. Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry called it a historic step, and quoted Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi welcoming the decision as "a good example for other countries". He said it was "a new phase of positive relations, mutual respect, and constructive engagement". The Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021 following the withdrawal of US and NATO forces. Since then, they have sought international recognition while also enforcing their strict interpretation of Islamic law. While no country had formally recognised the Taliban administration until now, the group had engaged in high-level talks with many nations and established some diplomatic ties with countries including China and the United Arab Emirates. Still, the Taliban government has been relatively isolated on the world stage, largely over its restrictions on women. Although the Taliban initially promised a more moderate rule than during their first stint in power from 1996 to 2001, it started to enforce restrictions on women and girls soon after the 2021 takeover. Women are barred from most jobs and public places, including parks, baths and gyms, while girls are banned from education beyond sixth grade. Russian officials have recently been emphasising the need to engage with the Taliban to help stabilise Afghanistan, and lifted a ban on the Taliban in April. In July 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the Taliban "allies in the fight against terrorism". Russia's ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, said the decision to recognise the Taliban government officially was made by President Vladimir Putin on advice from Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Mr Zhirnov said the decision proves Russia's 'sincere striving for the development of full-fledged relations with Afghanistan". AP/AFP
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