The announcement was made following a meeting between Russia s Ambassador Dmitry Zhirnov and Afghanistan s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul.

Speaking in a video posted on social media platform X, Muttaqi said, "This bold move will be a step for others to follow. Russia has led the process of recognition."

Zia Ahmad Takal, a Taliban foreign ministry spokesperson, confirmed the news to AFP, stating, "Russia is the first state that has officially recognized the Islamic Emirate," the name used by the Taliban for the regime.

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Russia s representative for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, also verified the recognition in remarks to state news agency RIA Novosti. The Russian Foreign Ministry repeated the announcement through TASS.

This milestone comes shortly after Taliban-appointed diplomat Gul Hassan took up duties as Kabul’s ambassador to Moscow. Russia has been steadily warming relations with the Taliban, removing them from its list of terrorist organizations earlier this year and inviting Taliban representatives to official events.

Russia also became the first country to establish a business office in Kabul after the Taliban takeover and has shown interest in utilizing Afghanistan as a transit point for gas exports to Southeast Asia

President Vladimir Putin called the Taliban "partners in fighting terrorism" in July 2024.

Under the Taliban s previous regime between 1996 and 2001, only Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE had accorded them formal recognition. Although China and Pakistan have embraced Taliban ambassadors this time, neither has issued formal recognition.

Despite increasing regional interaction, there are still anxieties—especially from the West—regarding the Taliban s women and girls  restrictions, including prohibitions on education and public interaction.