Russia becomes first country to recognise Taliban government of Afghanistan

FILE PHOTO: A flag of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan flutters at the Embassy of Afghanistan in Beijing, China October 19, 2023. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo

(Reuters) -Russia said on Thursday it had accepted the credentials of a new ambassador of Afghanistan, making it the first nation to recognise the Taliban government of the country.

"We believe that the act of official recognition of the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will give impetus to the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries in various fields," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.