Russia becomes the first country to formally recognize the Taliban regime

Moscow received the credentials of the new Afghan ambassador on Thursday (July 3) and formally recognized the Taliban government. This also made Russia the first country to formally recognize the Taliban regime.

This is the first such occurrence in the international arena since the Taliban took over Kabul on August 15, 2021. Moscow announced on Thursday (July 3) that it had accepted the credentials of the new Afghan ambassador appointed by the Taliban government. This move is highly symbolic and amounts to an implicit recognition of the Islamic regime by Russia.

Zia Ahmad Tarkal, a spokesperson for the Afghan Foreign Ministry, told AFP: "Russia is the first country to officially recognize the Islamic Emirate."

According to a video broadcast by the X social media platform, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said to Russian Ambassador to Kabul Dmitry Gornyov that it was a "brave decision" that would "set an example for other countries."

"Promising prospects for important cooperation"

Zamir Kablov, Russia's special envoy for Afghanistan, simply told RIA Novosti: "Confirmed." The Russian Foreign Ministry later confirmed the news to TASS. TASS noted that on Thursday, the flag of the Taliban-imposed Afghan state was raised for the first time at the Afghan embassy in Moscow.

Earlier on Thursday, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that it had received the credentials of the new Afghan ambassador to Russia, Gul Hassan Hassan. The ministry emphasized on Telegram: "We see broad prospects for cooperation in the field of trade and economy, particularly in projects related to energy, transport, agriculture, and infrastructure."

The ministry on Telegram emphasized: "We believe that the formal recognition of the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will promote effective bilateral cooperation between the two countries in various fields." The ministry also added: "We see broad prospects for cooperation in the field of trade and economy, particularly in projects related to energy, transport, agriculture, and infrastructure."

Russian diplomats emphasized that Moscow intends to "continue helping Kabul strengthen regional security, combat terrorism and drug trafficking threats." Additionally, Russia proposed the possibility of "deepening cooperation in the fields of education, sports, culture, and humanitarian aid."

Russia removes the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations

Russia has formed an anti-terrorism "ally" with Afghanistan. Russia has taken measures to restore normal relations with the Taliban, which is isolated internationally. In April this year, the Russian Supreme Court removed the organization from the list of terrorist groups designated by the Russian government. After the Taliban seized power and expressed its intention to make Afghanistan a hub for gas supplies to Southeast Asia, Russia was the first country to establish a trade office in Kabul.

In July 2024, Russian President Putin even described the Taliban as an "anti-terrorism ally." Although only Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and the UAE have recognized the previous Taliban regime (1996-2001), this time, several other countries including China also, like Pakistan, accepted ambassadors of the Islamic Emirate in their capitals without formally recognizing it.

Cooperation between Afghanistan and the Taliban authorities, as well as with its regional neighbors and major global countries such as China and Russia, is strengthening, although the cooperation remains limited.

The restrictions imposed by the Taliban on women and girls, excluding them from education and public life, are a focus of concern for the West. The Taliban are actively seeking international recognition and investment; their country has been devastated by forty years of war, especially the Soviet invasion from 1979 to 1989.

Source: rfi

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1836679694035980/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.