Russia Officially Recognizes Afghan Interim Government
The Russian government has recently confirmed that it has officially recognized the Afghan interim government. This marks the first time since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021 that a country has formally acknowledged an Afghan interim government.
In response to questions about whether Russian leaders plan to engage with Afghan leaders, Dmitry Peskov, Press Secretary for the President of Russia, stated on April 4th that President Putin has not yet planned any direct contact with the Afghan leadership but assured that contacts at all levels within bilateral relations would definitely be established.
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court of Russia revoked the designation of the Taliban as a “terrorist organization” against Afghanistan.
Khabirov, the Special Representative for Afghanistan, had previously mentioned that Russia would work with the Afghan authorities to promote normalization of bilateral relations.
Regarding Russia’s recognition of the Afghan interim government, Russian media quoted Ryazanov, the Russian Ambassador to Afghanistan, stating that this decision was made after listening to advice from Foreign Minister Lavrov. This move demonstrates Russia’s “sincere commitment to developing comprehensive relations with Afghanistan.”
Mutafder, the Acting Foreign Minister of the Afghan interim government, commented that this signifies a new phase of “positive, respectful, and constructive engagement” between the two countries.
On April 4th, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded to related questions by expressing China’s welcome for the new developments in the relationship between Russia and the Afghan interim government. As a traditional friendly neighbor of Afghanistan, China always believes that Afghanistan should not be excluded from the international community.
China supports the international community in strengthening contacts and exchanges with the Afghan interim government, encourages its active responses to concerns from the international community, and jointly helps Afghanistan achieve reconstruction and development. It also supports the Afghan side in combating terrorist forces and contributes positively to regional peace, stability, and prosperity.
中方将继续奉行面向全体阿富汗人民的友好外交政策，支持中阿各领域的交流合作。
Regarding the current development, Saudi Arabia’s Al-Arabiya website reported on April 4th, citing a political science professor from Kabul University in Afghanistan, that Russia’s recognition of the Afghan Interim Government is a significant step. This could be the beginning of a major geopolitical shift in the region and globally. Other countries in Central Asia might follow Russia’s stance.
The scholar also believes that the US’s unilateral support for Israel in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its attacks on Iran have forced both Iran and Russia to take action. This marks a new phase towards a multipolar world.
According to Al-Arabiya website reports, Russia expressed its hope to continue assisting Afghanistan “to strengthen regional security, combat the threat of terrorism and drug trafficking.” Additionally, Russia intends to use Afghanistan as a natural gas transit hub to Southeast Asia.
CNN reported that the Afghan Interim Government is also trying to gain American recognition. Since Trump began his second term in January this year, efforts have been intensified.
In March this year, two Americans were released from Afghanistan, and the United States lifted the bounty on three senior Taliban members.
Sources revealed in April that the Afghan Taliban has proposed several steps to secure American recognition, including establishing a similar embassy office in the United States to handle Afghanistan affairs.