Russia becomes the first country to recognize the Taliban government of Afghanistan

(Patria) - The Afghan government announced that Russia has become the first country to officially recognize its rule, calling it a "brave decision", AFP reported.

The announcement followed a meeting between Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Russian Ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, in Kabul.

"This brave decision will be an example for others... Now that the recognition process has begun, Russia has been ahead of everyone," Muttaqi said in a video of the meeting posted on social media X.

"Russia is the first country to officially recognize the Islamic Emirate," said Taliban Foreign Ministry spokesman Zia Ahmad Takal, using the government's name for their administration.

Moscow's special representative for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, told the Russian state news agency Ria Novosti that the government had "recognized" the Taliban government.

The Russian Foreign Ministry also confirmed the news to the TASS news agency.

Several other countries, including China and Pakistan, have Taliban ambassadors in their capitals, but have not officially recognized the Islamic Emirate.