Russia has taken a significant step towards formal recognition of Afghanistan’s Islamic Emirate government (IEA). On Tuesday, the State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, passed a bill in the first of three required readings that could pave the way to removing the IEA from Moscow’s list of banned terrorist organizations, according to the Interfax news agency.
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has held power since August 2021, but no country has formally recognized its government. Despite this, Russia has progressively engaged with the IEA, reflecting a shift in its foreign policy. In July, Russian President Vladimir Putin described Afghanistan’s new leadership as a partner in the fight against terrorism, signaling a potential realignment in the region.
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While further parliamentary approvals are necessary for the bill to become law, this move underscores Russia’s evolving stance on Afghanistan’s government and its role in regional stability.
