Russia has become the first nation in the world to officially recognise the Taliban-run government in Afghanistan, the group which forcefully took control over the South Asian country in 2021 by dethroning the previous regime.

Russia accepted the Taliban envoy from Afghanistan on Thursday.

In a photo shared in the statement released by the Russian Foreign Ministry, the new Afghan ambassador to Russia, Gul Hassan Hassan, could be seen handing his credentials to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko.

In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said: "On July 1, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation A.Yu.Rudenko received copies of credentials from the newly appointed Ambassador of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to the Russian Federation Gul Hassan Hassan."

The statement further said: "We believe that the act of official recognition of the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will give impetus to the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries in various fields."

"We see significant prospects for cooperation in the trade and economic area with an emphasis on projects in the fields of energy, transport, agriculture, and infrastructure," the statement said.

The Ministry said Russia will continue to assist Kabul in strengthening regional security and combating the threats of terrorism and drug crime.

"Deepening ties in the areas of education, sports, culture, and humanitarian affairs is valuable for strengthening the friendship between our peoples," the statement said.

Afghanistan Welcomes Decision

Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared several images of Taliban leader  Amir Khan Muttaqi meeting Russia's ambassador to Afghanistan Dmitry Zhirnov.

Welcoming the decision of recognition, Muttaqi described it as a new phase of positive relations, mutual respect, and constructive engagement, as per the Afghanistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs' X handle statement.

"Furthermore FM Muttaqi stated that this realistic decision would be remembered as a significant development in bilateral relations, and would set a good example for other countries, adding that it would also further strengthen cooperation between Afghanistan and Russia," the Ministry posted on X.

Russia-Afghanistan Relationship History

Russia was one of the nations that did not shut its Embassy in Afghanistan after the Taliban came to power in the country in 2021.

Russia removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist organisations in April this year.

Afghanistan and the Soviet Union shared a complex history.

The Soviet Union invaded the country in 1979.

The two nations fought a nine-year war.

The USSR eventually withdrew from Afghanistan in February 1989.