Russia has become the first country to recognize the Taliban’s government in Afghanistan officially. In response, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi called it a courageous decision. Moscow has accepted the credentials of a new Afghan ambassador as part of an ongoing move to develop friendly ties with the Taliban officials. Taliban officials seized power as the United States withdrew its troops in August 2021, marking the end of the 2001–2021 war.
Muttaqi met the Russian ambassador to Afghanistan in Kabul on Thursday, where Zhirnov officially conveyed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to recognize the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. He stated that it marked a new phase of constructive engagement, optimistic ties, and mutual respect, and that the shift would serve as an example to other nations worldwide.
The Taliban officials have been seeking international recognition and investment since they regained power in August 2021, despite reports of increasing human rights violations. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that recognizing the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan officially will enhance the development of strong bilateral relations between the two countries. It noted that Moscow sees potential for economic and commercial cooperation in energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and transportation, and that it will continue to support Afghanistan in fighting the threats of terrorism and drug trafficking.
Russia-Afghanistan Relations
Russia was among the few nations that opted not to close their embassy in Afghanistan in 2021. The Russian government said via Telegram that “expanding the dialogue with Kabul” was of paramount importance for regional security and economic progress. Russia was the first to formalize an international economic agreement with the Taliban in 2022, involving commitments to supply Afghanistan with oil, gas, and wheat.
Russia removed the Taliban from Russia’s list of terrorist organizations in April, a measure undertaken to facilitate the development of a “full-fledged partnership” with Kabul, as stated by the Russian Foreign Ministry. Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly referred to the Taliban as an “ally” in fighting terrorism in July of the previous year.
The relationship between the two countries is characterized by a complex history, notably marked by the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 and the subsequent nine-year conflict that resulted in the loss of approximately 15,000 Soviet personnel. The Soviet decision to establish a government in Kabul, supported by the USSR, led to international isolation, ultimately culminating in the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan in February 1989.uary 1989.
Sanctions and Criticism from the Global Community
Western governments and humanitarian organizations have broadly condemned the Taliban government because of Sharia law, which imposes severe restrictions on women and girls. Over the past four years, women have been prohibited from attending secondary and higher education, are unable to leave their residences unaccompanied by a male guardian, and are governed by rigorous dress codes.
Legislative measures have become progressively restrictive, exemplified by the most recent enactment of “virtue” laws, which prohibit women from speaking outside their homes. The United Nations has described the rules as “gender apartheid” and also reported public floggings and brutal attacks on former government officials.
In 2021, the United Nations Security Council imposed strict sanctions on Afghanistan, including the freezing of about $9 billion in assets. Although China, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan have all appointed ambassadors to Kabul, Russia is currently the only country to recognize the Taliban government since they regained power nearly four years ago.
