Afghanistan Times
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KABUL — A senior Taliban diplomat has officially taken up his post as Afghanistan’s ambassador to Russia, marking the first appointment of a top envoy by the Taliban government in Moscow since their return to power in 2021, Russian state media reported.
Gul Hassan, a former Afghan consul in Pakistan, arrived in Moscow earlier Tuesday and is set to begin his diplomatic duties imminently, according to Russia’s TASS news agency. An Afghan embassy official confirmed to AFP that Hassan was expected to arrive today.
This move underscores a significant development in the Taliban’s international engagement strategy as they seek broader diplomatic legitimacy. Russia has steadily increased its interactions with the Taliban administration, despite not formally recognizing them as Afghanistan’s lawful government. In April, Moscow delisted the Taliban as a terrorist organization, further paving the way for diplomatic normalization.
While countries such as China and the United Arab Emirates have also accepted Taliban-appointed envoys, formal recognition remains withheld. However, Russia has led the way in practical engagement, having previously accepted a Taliban charge d’affaires in 2022 and hosting Taliban representatives at high-profile international events, including the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum last month.
Russia was also the first country to establish a business representative office in Kabul after the Taliban’s takeover. It has since explored using Afghanistan as a strategic transit hub for gas exports to Southeast Asia.
In a further sign of warming ties, Russian President Vladimir Putin last year referred to the Taliban as “allies in the fight against terrorism,” despite the group’s controversial human rights record and global isolation.
Hassan’s appointment signals the Taliban’s continued push for greater global engagement and legitimacy, particularly with influential powers such as Russia.
