Russia has become the first country to officially recognise the Taliban government in Afghanistan, with the Islamic Emirate calling it a "brave decision" that will serve as an example for others, Russian state media Tass reported on July 4.

The announcement followed a meeting between Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Russian ambassador to Afghanistan Dmitry Zhirnov in Kabul on July 3.

"This brave decision will be an example for others. Now that the process of recognition has started, Russia was ahead of everyone," Muttaqi said in a video of the meeting posted on social media platform X.

Taliban foreign ministry spokesman Zia Ahmad Takal confirmed: "Russia is the first country which has officially recognised the Islamic Emirate [of Afghanistan]."

Muttaqi described the recognition as "a new phase of positive relations, mutual respect, and constructive engagement", according to the foreign ministry's social media posts, Fedpress reported.

Russia's foreign ministry said on Telegram messenger: "We believe that the act of official recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will boost the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our countries in several areas."

The ministry highlighted potential "commercial and economic" cooperation in "energy, transportation, agriculture and infrastructure", adding that Moscow hoped to continue helping Kabul "reinforce regional security and fight against the threats of terrorism and drug-trafficking".

Russia's Supreme Court suspended the Taliban's terrorist designation in April, with the foreign ministry stating this creates conditions for developing full partnership between Moscow and Kabul.

New Afghan ambassador Gul Hassan arrived in Moscow on July 1, with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko accepting copies of his credentials on July 3 as part of formal diplomatic recognition.

Only Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the UAE recognised the Taliban during their first rule from 1996 to 2001. Multiple states including China and Pakistan have accepted Taliban ambassadors since 2021 but have not provided official recognition.

China welcomed Russia's decision on July 4, with foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning saying Afghanistan "should not be excluded from the international community".

Afghan women activists condemned the recognition, with former parliamentarian Mariam Solaimankhil saying it "legitimises a regime that bans girls from education, enforces public floggings, and shelters UN-sanctioned terrorists".