MOSCOW (Agencies): Russia’s Supreme Court has officially removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations, effectively legalizing the group’s activities within the country. The decision, announced on Thursday, marks a significant shift in Moscow’s approach to Afghanistan’s de facto rulers, who have been in power since August 2021.
The Taliban had been designated as a terrorist entity in Russia since 2003, making any contact with its members a criminal offense under Russian law. However, amendments to Russia’s counterterrorism laws in 2023 allowed courts to suspend such designations if the group in question ceased activities involving propaganda, justification, or support of terrorism.
The ruling follows calls from Russian officials to engage with the Taliban to stabilize Afghanistan and foster regional cooperation. President Vladimir Putin previously described the Taliban as an “ally” in counterterrorism efforts, emphasizing the need to build relations with the current government. Moscow has hosted Taliban officials at various forums, including economic summits, and has sought to use Afghanistan as a transit hub for gas exports to Southeast Asia.
While the move does not constitute formal recognition of the Taliban government, it removes legal barriers to diplomatic engagement. Mohammad Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban’s envoy to Qatar, welcomed the decision, stating that the ban had hindered cooperation between the two nations.
Russia is not alone in shifting its stance. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have recently removed the Taliban from their terrorist lists, while Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have resumed cooperation with Kabul on projects like the TAPI gas pipeline. Despite these developments, the Taliban government remains diplomatically isolated, with no country formally recognizing its rule.
Experts view Russia’s decision as a pragmatic step toward normalizing ties with Afghanistan, reflecting shared security interests and the need for regional stability.