Russia has become the first permanent member of the United Nations Security Council to grant full diplomatic recognition to Afghanistan’s Taliban administration, ending nearly four years of de-facto but unofficial dealings with Kabul. The decision, confirmed by presidential envoy Zamir Kabulov on 3–4 July, removes the group from Moscow’s terrorist list and allows a Taliban ambassador to raise the movement’s white flag over the Afghan embassy in the Russian capital. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin currently has no plans to meet Taliban leaders, but officials signalled that recognition will pave the way for cooperation on counter-terrorism, narcotics control and prospective trade and energy transit projects. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid hailed the “bold” step and urged other capitals to follow Russia’s lead. China quickly welcomed the development. Foreign-Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters in Beijing that Afghanistan “should not be excluded from the international community,” adding that China supports efforts by other countries to engage the interim government. Beijing maintains contacts with Kabul and has accepted a Taliban-appointed envoy, but — like most governments — has stopped short of formal recognition. Human-rights advocates reacted sharply. A coalition of Afghan women’s protest movements called Moscow’s decision an endorsement of a regime that has barred girls from secondary education, restricted women’s employment and imposed strict dress and mobility rules. Western governments have likewise tied any future recognition to measurable improvements in human-rights and counter-terror commitments by the Taliban.