Russia has officially recognized the Taliban government in Afghanistan, a decision aimed at formalizing expanding economic and political cooperation between the two nations. This move, made by Russia’s presidential envoy Zamir Kabulov, follows the recent presentation of credentials by an Afghan ambassador in the Russian capital. The recognition is a significant step toward full-scale political engagement and is justified by the Taliban’s efforts to address issues like terrorism and drug trafficking.
Kabulov emphasized that maintaining a close partnership had become essential after it was clear that the current government in Kabul was doing its best to cope with these challenges. He noted that economic cooperation with Afghanistan had already begun, but to make it legally complete, Moscow needed to recognize the government de jure. "Now it’s time for our political interaction in full-fledged terms and conditions," he stated.
Kabulov, who previously served as Russia’s ambassador to Kabul, pointed out that the Taliban have undergone a transformation since first taking power in the 1990s. "This time, the Taliban came into power as a national [movement]," he explained, highlighting their focus on domestic interests rather than global jihad. The Taliban returned to power in August 2021 following the chaotic withdrawal by US and NATO forces from Afghanistan. They renamed the country the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. In April, the Russian Supreme Court removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations. Kabulov confirmed to the media that Moscow now officially recognized the Taliban government.
The envoy noted that Taliban representatives have attended economic forums in Russia as the two sides explore cooperation in investment and natural resource development. Afghanistan’s geographic position offers potential as an "important economic and logistic hub for the big Eurasian continent," Kabulov said. Although the Taliban government remains unrecognized by most of the international community, several regional powers have renewed contacts with it. Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi welcomed Moscow’s move, writing on X that "Russia was ahead of everyone."