Russia Accepts Taliban Nominee as Afghan Ambassador to Moscow

Russia has officially accepted the Taliban's nomination of an ambassador to Moscow, marking a significant step in normalizing diplomatic relations between the two nations. This follows Russia's suspension of its ban on the Taliban in April, which had previously designated the group as a terrorist organization for over two decades. During a meeting in Kabul, Russian Ambassador Dmitry Zhirnov handed over the official diplomatic note to the Taliban's acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, expressing optimism about strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation in various sectors. The two sides also discussed recent developments from a multilateral meeting in Kazan and the work of joint committees aimed at enhancing collaboration. While no country has formally recognized the Taliban government since its 2021 takeover, this move by Russia, along with similar steps by China and Pakistan, signals a gradual shift towards diplomatic recognition. The Taliban expressed hope that this new phase would enable broader cooperation across multiple fields between Afghanistan and Russia.