Afghanistan announced on Thursday that Russia has officially recognised its Taliban-led government, marking the first such recognition since the group returned to power in 2021.

Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi praised Moscow’s move as a “brave decision” during a meeting with Russia’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, in Kabul.

“This brave decision will be an example for others,” Muttaqi said in a video released after the meeting. “Now that the process of recognition has started, Russia was ahead of everyone.”

Zia Ahmad Takal, spokesman for the Taliban foreign ministry, confirmed the announcement to AFP, stating, “Russia is the first country which has officially recognised the Islamic Emirate.”

The Taliban has been seeking international recognition since its takeover, hoping it will lead to investment and economic engagement as Afghanistan recovers from decades of war, including the Soviet invasion from 1979 to 1989.

Muttaqi described Russia’s decision as opening “a new phase of positive relations, mutual respect, and constructive engagement,” according to a post by the foreign ministry.

Russia’s foreign ministry echoed this sentiment on Telegram, stating that recognition would “boost the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries in several areas.” It highlighted opportunities in “energy, transportation, agriculture and infrastructure,” adding that Moscow also hopes to help Kabul “reinforce regional security and fight against the threats of terrorism and drug-trafficking.”

Moscow has been taking steps to normalise ties with the Taliban, including removing them from its list of “terrorist organisations” in April and accepting a Taliban ambassador in Kabul. In July 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin even described the Taliban as “allies in the fight against terrorism.”

Russia was the first country to open a business representative office in Kabul after the Taliban takeover, and it plans to use Afghanistan as a transit hub for gas exports to Southeast Asia.