Russia Becomes First Nation to Officially Recognize Taliban Government

 

Russia Becomes First Nation to Officially Recognize Taliban Government

In a controversial and unprecedented move, Russia has formally acknowledged the Taliban as the legitimate governing body of Afghanistan, nearly four years after the militant group took control of Kabul. This diplomatic recognition has stirred significant backlash, particularly from Afghan opposition voices and international human rights groups.

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi expressed optimism about the development, suggesting that Russia’s decision might encourage other countries to follow suit. Many governments have been hesitant to grant recognition due to the Taliban’s strict implementation of Sharia law and the extensive limitations imposed on women and girls.

Critics of the move have voiced strong opposition. Fawzia Koofi, a former Afghan lawmaker, warned

that recognizing the Taliban would not lead to peace, but rather validate ongoing human rights abuses. She cautioned that such diplomatic steps could threaten both Afghan citizens and global stability.

Similarly, the Afghan Women’s Political Participation Network condemned the announcement, claiming it legitimizes “an oppressive regime that undermines civil liberties and systematically discriminates against women.”

Despite Taliban statements claiming to respect women's rights under their interpretation of Islamic principles and Afghan traditions, since 2021, girls over 12 have been barred from school, women have lost access to most jobs, and strict rules on travel and public speech for women have been enforced.

Minister Muttaqi described Russia’s recognition on Thursday as a “brave” move and the start of a “new era” in bilateral relations, marked by “mutual respect and constructive cooperation.” The Russian Foreign Ministry said it hopes to expand economic and trade partnerships, including collaboration in energy, transport, agriculture, and infrastructure. Russia also promised to assist Afghanistan in combating terrorism and drug trafficking.

Russia has maintained a presence in Afghanistan even after the Taliban takeover in 2021, keeping its embassy operational when many other nations withdrew. In 2022, it was the first to sign a trade agreement with the Taliban government, pledging to supply oil, wheat, and gas.

Earlier this year, Russia officially removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations, and President Vladimir Putin referred to the group as a partner in counter-terrorism efforts in 2024. Diplomatic engagement between the Taliban and Russia dates back to at least 2018, when Taliban officials visited Moscow for negotiations.

However, the history between the two nations is fraught. The Soviet Union (led by Russia) invaded Afghanistan in 1979, leading to a bloody nine-year war that resulted in 15,000 Soviet casualties and left Afghanistan in turmoil. The installation of a Soviet-aligned regime back then turned the USSR into a global outcast and ended with their withdrawal in 1989.

The Afghan Women's Political Participation Network emphasized that it had not forgotten Russia’s devastating role during the Soviet invasion, and criticized its current diplomatic alignment with the Taliban as a continuation of "destructive foreign intervention."

Former Afghan national security adviser Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta also condemned the move, calling it “unfortunate” and warning that other countries may now follow Russia’s lead in recognizing the Taliban.

Afghanistan remains under UN sanctions imposed in 2021, which included freezing approximately $9 billion in overseas assets. The United Nations has repeatedly condemned the Taliban’s policies, labeling them as “gender apartheid”, and reported numerous human rights violations, including public beatings and violence against former officials.

While most nations shut down their embassies after the Taliban took power, a few—including China, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and the UAE—have appointed ambassadors to Kabul, signaling a growing, if cautious, diplomatic engagement with the Taliban.