Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, received the credentials of Mawlawi Gul Hassan Hassan, the Ambassador of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, during an official ceremony held at the Kremlin in Moscow on Thursday, January 15, 2026.
Kabul 24: This event marked the first credential presentation ceremony for new foreign ambassadors in the new year and took place alongside the accreditation of 34 ambassadors from various countries around the world.In his remarks, President Putin reaffirmed Russia’s principled position toward Afghanistan, stating that Moscow sincerely desires Afghanistan to become a united, independent, and peaceful country—free from war, terrorism, and drug trafficking.
He highlighted recent positive developments in Afghanistan and praised the Islamic Emirate’s efforts in combating drug cultivation and production, as well as its success in establishing relative security across the country.
Putin also noted that bilateral cooperation between Russia and Afghanistan has significantly accelerated in recent years. He described Russia’s official recognition of the Islamic Emirate last year as a key step that has facilitated stronger and more constructive bilateral relations.Following the formal presentation of credentials, Ambassador Gul Hassan Hassan held a separate meeting with President Putin.
The Afghan envoy expressed appreciation for Putin’s positive statements and conveyed messages from the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate, the Prime Minister, and the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Both sides emphasized the importance of expanding bilateral ties, deepening cooperation in economic, security, and regional affairs, and continuing constructive dialogue.Russia remains the only country to have officially recognized the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to date, and the Afghan Embassy in Moscow operates as the official representation of the Emirate.
This recognition aligns with Moscow’s broader policy of promoting stability in Central Asia and jointly addressing shared threats such as terrorism and drug trafficking.
The ceremony signals a new level of diplomatic engagement between the two sides. Analysts expect that the coming months will likely see further expansion of cooperation in areas such as trade, energy, security, counter-terrorism, and regional connectivity.
