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."

Days after Russia officially recognised the Taliban government in Afghanistan, speculations are rife over whether Pakistan will follow suit. While Pakistani officials have maintained that they are in "no hurry" to extend formal recognition, Moscow’s move has once again pushed the question to the forefront.

Russia becomes first country to recognise Afghanistan’s Taliban regime. Will China follow? - Experts monitoring the Taliban’s new diplomacy push in Asia say China could follow suit, paving the way for wider recognition of the militant group and ending its pariah status on the world stage.