ALBAWABA- — In a landmark diplomatic move, Russia has become the first country to officially recognize the Taliban-led government of Afghanistan, marking a major shift in international engagement with the Islamic Emirate.
According to a statement by Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Russian government formally recognized the Taliban administration, with the Russian Ambassador in Kabul, Dmitry Zhirnov, delivering the message personally to Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi.
During the meeting, Zhirnov conveyed President Vladimir Putin’s decision to extend official recognition, reportedly made at the recommendation of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
The Afghan Foreign Ministry hailed the move as "brave," while Russia’s ambassador in Kabul described it as a “historic development” in bilateral relations.
In Moscow, the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that Deputy Foreign Minister accepted the credentials of Gul Hassan as Afghanistan’s new ambassador, a formal step cementing diplomatic ties.
Images shared online showed the flag of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan flying over the Afghan embassy in Moscow.
The recognition is likely to have significant geopolitical ramifications, as global powers remain divided over how to engage with the Taliban regime since its return to power in 2021.
