No other country has formally recognised the Taliban government that seized power in August 2021.

July 4 (UPI) -- Russia has become the first country to formally recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan's government said on Thursday that Russia had become the first country to officially recognise its rule, calling it a "brave decision". The Taliban swept back to power in 2021 after ousting the foreign-backed government and have imposed an austere version of Islamic law.

Moscow previously removed the group, which has ruled over Afghanistan since 2021 and has been accused of grave human rights abuses against the civilian population, from its list of outlawed organisations.

MOSCOW: Russia has become the first country to officially recognise the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan. Moscow on Thursday accepted the credentials of a new Afghan ambassador, marking a...