A former senior Taliban official told CBS News that while the move was welcome, "Russia and China can't financially support us the way the Americans did."

Russia became the first country to formally recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan on Thursday, according to local media, with the Taliban flag being raised at the Afghan embassy in Moscow.

In a big diplomatic move, Russia has formally recognised the Taliban-led regime in Afghanistan by accepting the credentials of Gul Hassan Hassan, the envoy appointed by Taliban. This makes Russia the first nation to grant official recognition to the Taliban government since its 2021 takeover, India Today reported.