Russia’s Recognition of the Taliban Sparks Widespread Reactions

Russia’s decision to officially recognize the Taliban has triggered strong and widespread reactions both inside Afghanistan and internationally. Many have described the move as dangerous, a strategic mistake, and a betrayal of the Afghan people.

Experts and former Afghan officials have expressed concerns that the Taliban is pushing the country into a fierce geopolitical rivalry between East and West, turning Afghanistan into a battleground of competing powers through its unbalanced foreign policy.

Amrullah Saleh, former Vice President of Afghanistan, wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) account that the Taliban will inevitably fall and that Afghanistan will rise again. He emphasized that Afghanistan has only one national flag, and the Taliban can never replace it.

Saleh stated:

“The Taliban will fall. Afghanistan will rise again. Be certain that the tricolored flag will once again wave and Afghanistan will regain its honor.”

Shukria Barakzai, a former parliamentarian during the republic era, called Russia’s move a major political mistake and warned that it could trigger a proxy war in Afghanistan, with ordinary Afghans paying the price.

She added:

“Russia’s recognition of the Taliban is a mistake that will pave the way for proxy wars in Afghanistan. And it will be the Afghan people who suffer.”

Meanwhile, Ali Ahmad Jalali, a former Afghan official and professor at a U.S. military university, noted that Moscow’s recognition would have only limited regional effects.

“The Taliban has not yet been recognized by the world’s major players or by the United Nations,” he said.

Women’s rights activist Lima Amiri said that the Taliban has no legitimacy, as it has suppressed women, minorities, civil society, and various social groups, depriving them of their basic rights.

“Russia’s recognition of the Taliban is a betrayal of the fate of Afghan women,” she said.

Ismail Yoon, a former professor at Kabul University, suggested that Russia may have acted under U.S. influence. If not, the move could draw serious backlash from Washington and result in suspended aid.

He explained:

“The U.S., acting as the village chief of the world, sometimes delegates certain tasks to its allies—or even to its rivals—to reinforce their role and status in the region.”

Nasir Ahmad Faiq, Afghanistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations, condemned Russia’s action, noting that Moscow had supported the Taliban over the past two decades.

“This may be a major achievement for the Taliban, but it will further worsen the lives of Afghan people and have long-term negative consequences for the country,” Faiq said.

Fawzia Koofi, another former member of Afghanistan parliament during the republic era, said Russia made a grave error by recognizing the Taliban, effectively legitimizing gender discrimination, human rights violations, and terrorism.

Former national security advisor Rangin Dadfar Spanta described Russia’s move as deeply regrettable and called on Afghan politicians to unite in response.

Meanwhile, former intelligence chief Rahmatullah Nabil blamed the disunity of Afghan political figures, saying it gave Russia the confidence to formally recognize the Taliban.

Russia recognized the Taliban at a time when former president Ashraf Ghani recently stated that legitimate power remains in his custody and that he hopes to hand it over to a government with both domestic and international legitimacy.

China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning welcomed Russia’s decision, calling it an important step in strengthening engagement and dialogue with the Taliban. She added that China encourages the international community to address global concerns, support Afghanistan’s reconstruction, and assist in its efforts to combat terrorism and stabilize the region.

In addition to these reactions, many other Afghan politicians and officials have condemned Russia’s move as unjust and a political gamble with the fate of the Afghan people.

Following the decision, Russia allowed the Afghan tricolored national flag to be taken down from its embassy in Moscow and replaced it with the Taliban’s white banner.

Russia’s foreign ministry confirmed that it sees opportunities for cooperation with the Taliban in areas such as security, counterterrorism, and combating narcotics.

Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s special envoy for Afghanistan, stated that Russia recognized the Taliban in order to work with it on efforts to combat terrorism and drug trafficking.

Russia has become the first country to formally recognize the Taliban since its return to power in 2021. China was the second nation to endorse the move.