Thu Jul 03 20:07:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten version as a news article:
**Summary:**
On July 3, 2025, Russia formally recognized the Taliban government in Afghanistan, becoming the first country to do so since the Taliban took power in 2021. Russia removed the Taliban from its list of outlawed organizations and accepted the credentials of the new Afghan ambassador. Both the Russian and Afghan foreign ministries hailed the move as a positive step towards bilateral cooperation and a good example for other nations.
**News Article:**
**Russia Formally Recognizes Taliban Government in Afghanistan, a Global First**
**MOSCOW – July 4, 2025 –** In a move that signals a significant shift in international relations, Russia has become the first nation to officially recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan since the group seized power in 2021. The announcement, made on Thursday, July 3, 2025, follows Russia’s decision to remove the Taliban from its list of proscribed organizations.
The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that it had received credentials from Gul Hassan Hassan, Afghanistan’s newly appointed ambassador. The Ministry stated that this formal recognition would foster “productive bilateral cooperation” between the two countries.
“This is a historic step,” said a spokesperson for the Afghan Foreign Ministry. Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi welcomed the Russian decision and urged other nations to follow suit, calling it “a good example.”
The recognition comes amidst ongoing international debate over engagement with the Taliban regime, with many countries hesitant to formally endorse the government due to concerns about human rights and security. Russia’s decision is expected to spark further discussion and potentially influence the future trajectory of global diplomacy concerning Afghanistan.
First Piper 