Russia to Remove Afghan Taliban from Terrorist List in High-Level Decision

Afghan Taliban

Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced on Friday that the decision to remove the Afghan Taliban from the country’s list of terrorist organizations had been “taken at the highest level,” according to the state-run TASS news agency.

The decision, however, still requires the completion of various legal procedures before it can be officially enacted, as explained by Zamir Kabulov, President Vladimir Putin’s special representative on Afghanistan.

This move is seen as a significant step in Russia’s evolving relationship with Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban government. Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, following the withdrawal of US-led forces after a 20-year conflict, Russia has been gradually strengthening its ties with the group.

Despite these diplomatic overtures, the Taliban remains officially classified as a terrorist organization in Russia, where it was added to the list in 2003.

President Putin made it clear in July that Russia now views Afghanistan’s Taliban regime as an ally in the fight against terrorism, specifically in the battle against extremist groups like Daesh, which remains outlawed in Russia. Putin’s comments underscore Moscow’s broader strategic interest in engaging with the Taliban as part of its regional security efforts.

While Russia has been cautiously building political, economic, and trade relations with Afghanistan under Taliban rule, no country has yet formally recognized the Taliban-led government as the legitimate leadership of Afghanistan.

However, some nations, including China and the UAE, have accepted Taliban-appointed ambassadors, signaling a gradual shift in international attitudes.

The Taliban’s acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, voiced appreciation for Russia’s move during a speech in Moscow. He also welcomed the recent decisions by Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan to remove the Taliban from their respective lists of banned organizations. Muttaqi expressed hope that Russia would soon follow with similar steps, praising the positive comments made by high-ranking Russian officials in this regard.

In a separate statement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov emphasized the importance of maintaining “pragmatic dialogue” with Afghanistan’s current government, stating that resolving Afghan issues or even discussing a settlement would be impossible without Kabul’s participation.

Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to further developing political, trade, and economic ties with the Taliban government. Although he did not directly mention the Taliban, Lavrov commended Afghanistan’s current leadership for its efforts to combat drug production and contain Daesh activity.

Muttaqi echoed these sentiments, calling for regional cooperation in the fight against Daesh, which he claimed had established training centers outside of Afghanistan.

Lavrov also criticized the West, urging the United States to return confiscated Afghan assets and calling for the international community to take responsibility for Afghanistan’s post-conflict reconstruction. He added that Russia would continue to send humanitarian aid, including food and essential goods, to the war-torn country.

Russia’s relationship with Afghanistan is shaped by a complex history, dating back to the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, which ended in 1989 after heavy casualties inflicted by mujahideen fighters.

Despite the withdrawal, Russia and its post-Soviet neighbors have continued to face threats from militant groups linked to Afghanistan. Most recently, in March, a deadly attack claimed by Daesh at a concert hall near Moscow resulted in 145 deaths, highlighting ongoing security challenges.