Russia’s decision to formally recognise Taliban rule in Afghanistan has sparked cautious optimism among ordinary Afghans, who remain caught between protracted poverty and diplomatic isolation.
On Thursday, Moscow not only acknowledged the Taliban’s four-year-old government but also removed its long-standing “terrorist organisation” label, more than four decades after first applying it during the Soviet intervention in 1979.
The announcement follows a series of sweeping geopolitical shifts in the region. United States President Donald Trump recently ordered the revocation of sanctions on Syria and initiated a review of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the de facto governing body in northwest Syria, despite its historical links to Al-Qaeda.
The Taliban, unlike HTS, have so far been denied formal recognition by any major power since seizing control of Afghanistan in August 2021. Their regime remains under Western sanctions, with Afghan central bank reserves frozen by Washington, deepening Kabul’s isolation and economic crisis.
In this context, Moscow’s move, reportedly backed by Beijing, could alter regional dynamics. With relatively cordial ties with Pakistan, Iran, and India, Russia’s recognition of the Taliban opens a potential new axis of engagement for the war-torn nation.
Also read: Russia becomes first country to officially recognise Taliban rule
Speaking in Kabul on Friday, 58-year-old Gul Mohammad reflected the tempered hope of many residents. “With the current situation in Afghanistan, with all the challenges, everyone is worried. If the world recognises Afghanistan, we will be happy. Currently, even the tiniest thing matters,” he said.
Despite being landlocked, Afghanistan holds strategic value for Russia as its influence in the Middle East is tested. Moscow’s only military base in the region, located in Syria, is facing renewed security threats with the rise of HTS, reportedly aided by Israel and the United States.
Analysts believe Russia’s latest engagement with Kabul is not merely symbolic but driven by geopolitical necessity. As Western powers continue to distance themselves from the Taliban, Moscow may be eyeing both a diplomatic vacuum and an economic opportunity in the mineral-rich yet fragile state.
The broader Afghan population, however, remains cautious. “People are struggling, and they will still struggle with or without the recognition,” said a local resident in Kabul, citing the grim reality of Afghanistan’s enduring humanitarian crisis.
Though symbolic, Russia’s recognition provides the Taliban with a rare moment of legitimacy on the international stage, while potentially paving the way for future aid, investment, or bilateral engagement, should Western sanctions persist.
Follow us
