Russia has formally recognized Afghanistan’s Taliban government, Russia’s Foreign Ministry told TASS. According to the outlet, the Taliban flag has been raised over the Afghan embassy in Moscow — the first time it has flown there since the group seized power in 2021.
Russia’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, said President Vladimir Putin made the decision following a proposal from Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The move, Zhirnov said, “demonstrates Russia’s sincere intention to establish a full-fledged partnership with Afghanistan.”
As Reuters noted, Russia is the first country in the world to officially recognize the Taliban government since the group took control of Afghanistan in 2021.
The Taliban was designated a terrorist organization in Russia in 2003 after the group was added to a corresponding list by the U.N. Security Council.
Since the Taliban’s return to power, Russia has actively engaged with the group; Taliban representatives have regularly visited Russia and held meetings with Russian officials.
In December 2024, the State Duma passed legislation allowing organizations to be removed from Russia’s list of terrorist organizations by court decision. Putin signed the law shortly afterward.
In late March 2025, the Prosecutor General’s Office petitioned the Supreme Court to suspend the ban on the Taliban’s activities in Russia. The court granted the request in April.