# Afghanistan’s government says that Russia has become the first country to officially recognise its rule, calling it a “brave decision”. The Taliban swept back to power in 2021 after ousting the foreign-backed government and have imposed an austere version of Islamic law. They have keenly sought official international recognition and investment, as the country recovers from four decades of war, including the Soviet invasion from 1979 to 1989. The announcement was made after Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with Russia’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, in Kabul yesterday.
Russia becomes first country to recognise Taliban rule in Afghanistan