Countries Engaging with the Taliban: Possible Nations That May Follow Russia's Lead
In a significant move, Russia has become the first and only country to formally recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan, following its takeover in 2021. On July 3, 2025, Russia’s Foreign Ministry received credentials from the Taliban-appointed Afghan Ambassador, officially acknowledging the Taliban as Afghanistan’s legitimate government.
This recognition comes amidst ongoing diplomatic engagement with several nations, including China and the United Arab Emirates. However, these countries have not extended formal recognition due to concerns over the Taliban’s human rights record, particularly restrictions on women. China, while maintaining diplomatic ties with Afghanistan, has welcomed Russia’s recognition but has not followed suit.
The Taliban has expressed hope that Russia’s move will encourage other Muslim and regional countries to follow suit. As of now, no other states have formally recognized the Taliban government. The table below summarizes the current status of Taliban recognition among key countries:
| Country | Status on Taliban Recognition | |----------------|------------------------------------------------------------| | Russia | First and only country to *formally recognize* Taliban government (July 2025) | | China | Maintains diplomatic ties; *welcomed* Russia’s recognition but has not formally recognized Taliban government | | United Arab Emirates | Has diplomatic engagement but no formal recognition | | Other countries| No formal recognition; some ongoing talks or limited engagement |
Russia's decision to recognize the Taliban government is a historic shift in the Taliban’s international status but remains unique at present. Other countries appear cautious due to the Taliban's policies and international pressure.
The history between Russia and Afghanistan is complex, with the Soviet Union invading Afghanistan in 1979 to establish a communist government, leading to a 10-year war with Afghan mujahideen fighters. However, relations have become more open since the Taliban's return to power in 2021. A Taliban delegation attended Russia's flagship economic forum in Saint Petersburg in 2022 and 2024, and India's Foreign Minister S Jaishankar spoke to Taliban leader Amir Khan Muttaqi over the phone in May 2025, marking their first publicly acknowledged conversation.
Russia's recognition of the Taliban government is seen as a strategic move to counter the influence of ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K), a group that Russia views as a rival and enemy. Iran, too, views ISIS-K as a much bigger threat than the Taliban and has been engaging with the group behind closed doors since the Taliban's return to Kabul.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes that this recognition will pave the way for bilateral cooperation with Afghanistan in fields such as energy, transport, agriculture, and infrastructure. The Taliban's response to Russia's recognition was positive, with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi expressing gratitude and hope that it would serve as an example for others.
However, tensions remain over armed fighters from Afghanistan in Pakistan, with Pakistan ramping up the deportation of Afghan refugees in 2024, further stressing ties. Pakistan has accused the Taliban government of allowing armed groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), to target Pakistan from Afghan soil.
In a recent incident, the Pakistani military killed 30 fighters who tried to cross the border from Afghanistan. Similarly, in December 2024, the Pakistani military launched air strikes in Afghanistan's Paktia province, resulting in the death of 46 civilians, according to the Taliban government.
In May 2023, a subsidiary of the state-owned China National Petroleum Company (CNPC) signed a 25-year contract with the Taliban to extract oil from the basin of the Amu Darya river, marking the first major foreign investment since the Taliban's takeover.
As the international community continues to watch Afghanistan's development under the Taliban, Russia's recognition is a significant step towards normalizing the Taliban's position on the global stage. However, the challenges posed by armed fighters from Afghanistan and concerns over human rights remain pressing issues that need to be addressed.
[1] BBC News. (2025, July 3). Russia officially recognises Taliban government in Afghanistan. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-62807071 [2] Al Jazeera. (2025, July 3). Russia formally recognises Taliban government in Afghanistan. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/3/russia-formally-recognises-taliban-government-in-afghanistan [4] The New York Times. (2025, July 3). Russia Recognizes Taliban Government in Afghanistan. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/03/world/asia/russia-afghanistan-taliban-recognition.html
- The ongoing analysis of global politics reveals that Russia remains the sole nation to formally recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan, following its takeover in 2021.
- While the Taliban expresses optimism that Russia's recognition will influence other Muslim and regional countries to follow suit, these nations, including China, appear cautious due to the Taliban's controversial policies and human rights concerns.
- In the face of international pressure, some countries, like the United Arab Emirates, engage in diplomatic relations with Afghanistan but have not extended formal recognition yet.
- Breaking news reports suggest that Russia's recognition of the Taliban government is a strategic move aimed at countering the influence of terrorism groups like ISIS-K in Afghanistan, echoing Iran's concern over the threat ISIS-K poses.
