Russia said on Thursday it had accepted the credentials of a new ambassador of Afghanistan, making it the first nation to recognise the Taliban government of the country. In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow saw good prospects to develop ties and would continue to support Kabul in security,

Russia becomes first country to recognise Afghanistan’s Taliban regime. Will China follow? - Experts monitoring the Taliban’s new diplomacy push in Asia say China could follow suit, paving the way for wider recognition of the militant group and ending its pariah status on the world stage.

Russia has formally recognized the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan, becoming the first country to do so since the group seized control of Kabul in August 2021. The announcement was made Thursday during a meeting in Kabul between Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Russian Ambassador Dmitry Zhirnov.