After Russia became the first country to officially recognise the Taliban government, China has welcomed the move, fuelling speculation it may be next. As regional powers deepen ties with Kabul, questions mount about the global legitimacy of Afghanistan’s isolated rulers.

Russia has become the first country to formally recognize the Taliban’s government in Afghanistan since it seized power in 2021, after Moscow removed the group from its list of outlawed organizations

The Kremlin announced Thursday that it has accepted an ambassador sent by the hardline Islamist group.