MOSCOW – In a landmark decision with significant regional implications, Russia has officially recognized the Taliban as the legitimate governing authority of Afghanistan. The announcement on Friday makes Russia the first major world power to grant formal recognition to the group since its return to power in 2021.
The move, confirmed by the Russian Foreign Ministry, is expected to have substantial effects on the geopolitical landscape of Central and South Asia. It formalizes Moscow's long-standing pragmatic engagement with the Taliban, which has intensified since the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces from Afghanistan.
This official recognition is seen as a strategic step by Moscow to secure its interests in the region, which include combating terrorist groups like ISIS-K, controlling illicit drug trafficking, and ensuring stability in the former Soviet republics that border Afghanistan.
For the Taliban, Russia's recognition is a major diplomatic victory. It grants their administration a degree of international legitimacy that they have sought for years amid widespread condemnation over their policies, particularly the severe restrictions on women's rights to education and employment. This move could pave the way for other regional powers to follow suit and may help the Taliban in their efforts to unfreeze billions of dollars in Afghan assets held abroad.
Analysts suggest that this decision will likely deepen the divide between Russia and Western nations on international policy. While the United States and European countries have maintained a stance of non-recognition, linking it to human rights improvements, Russia has prioritized direct engagement to address its security concerns.
The international community will now be watching closely to see how this development impacts regional dynamics, particularly the relationships between Afghanistan and its neighbors, and whether it will lead to increased economic and security cooperation between Moscow and Kabul.
