Russia’s foreign ministry announced on Friday that a decision to remove the Afghan Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations had been made “at the highest level,” as reported by state-run TASS news agency. The process now awaits legal formalities to make the decision official, according to Zamir Kabulov, President Vladimir Putin’s special representative on Afghanistan.
This development marks a significant shift in Russia’s policy toward the Taliban, whom it classified as a terrorist organization in 2003. Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, Russia has gradually built diplomatic and economic relations with the group, despite the Taliban’s lack of official recognition as the legitimate government by the international community. So far, only China and the UAE have accepted Taliban-appointed ambassadors.
Read More: The resurgence of ISIS poses a threat to stability in Afghanistan
President Putin had indicated in July that Russia viewed the Taliban as an ally in the fight against terrorism, signaling growing cooperation between the two. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov echoed this pragmatism, stating that maintaining dialogue with the current Afghan government is necessary. Lavrov praised Kabul’s efforts in reducing drug production and combating Islamic State (IS) militants, which remain outlawed in Russia.
Lavrov also criticized Western countries, calling for the return of Afghanistan’s confiscated assets and urging greater humanitarian aid for the country. He emphasized Russia’s commitment to continuing political, economic, and humanitarian engagement with Afghanistan.
This decision could signal a broader effort by Moscow to normalize relations with the Taliban and assert its influence in the region, particularly in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. However, it remains to be seen how other international players will respond to Russia’s evolving relationship with the Taliban, given the group’s controversial human rights record and ongoing internal conflict.
