Russia has become the first nation to recognize the Taliban government of Afghanistan since it took power in 2021, announcing on Thursday it has accepted an ambassador from the Islamist group.

Russia has become the first country in the world to formally recognize Afghanistan's Taliban government. This improves the radical group's standing on the world stage, and puts pressure on the West to follow suit.

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.