Russia becomes first country to recognise Taliban govt in Afghanistan

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00:00A photo signalling Russia's decision to formally recognise the Taliban government in Afghanistan.

00:07While the move has sparked anger from opponents of the Taliban, Kabul has held the decision

00:12as a historic step.

00:14First of all, we welcome the step by the Russian Federation to recognise the Islamic Emirate

00:21of Afghanistan and this brave decision taken by the Russian Federation will be an example

00:26for others.

00:28The move follows a series of actions which Moscow has taken to normalise relations with

00:33the Taliban authorities.

00:35Last year it called them allies in the fight against terrorism and in April this year it

00:40removed the Taliban from a list of terrorist organisations.

00:44Russia was also the first to open a business representative office in Kabul shortly after

00:49the Taliban takeover in 2021, announcing plans to turn Afghanistan into a transit hub for

00:56gas sent to Southeast Asia.

00:58The Russian Foreign Ministry, which sees Afghanistan as a potential commercial and economic partner,

01:04released a statement on its plans in the region.

01:06We see considerable prospects for interaction in trade and the economy, with a focus on projects

01:13in energy, transport, agriculture and infrastructure. We will continue to assist Kabul in strengthening

01:18regional security and fighting terrorist threats and drug crime.

01:22China, an ally of Afghanistan welcomed the news.

01:27The Chinese side supports the international community in strengthening engagement and communication with

01:32Afghanistan's interim government, encouraging it to actively respond to the concerns of the

01:37international community and jointly help Afghanistan achieve reconstruction and development.

01:42other states like the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan have also accepted

01:47Taliban envoys as ambassadors, but no country has officially recognised them as Afghanistan's

01:53lawful government. Since their takeover of Afghanistan after American forces pulled out in 2021,

01:59the Taliban authorities have introduced a strict Islamic regime in the country, with restrictions

02:06on women and girls, excluding them from education and life in public.

02:09both in public.

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