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 announced on July 3 that it officially recognizes the Taliban government of Afghanistan, making it the first country in the world to grant recognition since the group seized power in 2021.

Russia has become the first nation to recognize the Taliban government of Afghanistan since it took power in 2021, announcing on Thursday it has accepted an ambassador from the Islamist group.