A Taliban diplomat is set to take on the position of Afghanistan’s ambassador to Russia on Tuesday, marking the first high-level representative from the group in Moscow since they regained control in 2021, according to reports from Russian state media.

Gul Hassan, who previously served as consul in Pakistan, arrived in the Russian capital earlier on Tuesday and is expected to soon “begin his responsibilities,” as stated by the state-run TASS news agency.

An official from the Afghan embassy confirmed to AFP that Hassan “was scheduled to arrive today.”

Since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, following a two-decade-long conflict against the U.S.-backed government, Moscow has enhanced its diplomatic and economic relations with the group.

Other countries, including China and the United Arab Emirates, have also welcomed a Taliban-appointed envoy, although no nation has officially acknowledged them as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.

The Taliban took control following the withdrawal of U.S. forces that had supported the internationally recognized Afghan government in 2021.

In the intervening time, Moscow has made efforts to establish a more normalized relationship with the Taliban authorities, including removing their label as a “terrorist organization” in April and including them in official events.

In 2022, Russia had already accepted a Taliban-appointed chargé d’affaires.

Following the Taliban’s takeover, Russia became the first country to open a business representation office in Kabul and has expressed intentions to use Afghanistan as a transit point for gas supplies destined for Southeast Asia.

In July 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the Taliban as “allies in the battle against terrorism.”