WEB DESK: Russia’s Supreme Court has announced the suspension of its longstanding ban on the Taliban, a group it has labeled as a “terrorist organization” for over two decades. This ruling, prompted by a request from the prosecutor general, aims to foster normalized relations with the de facto leaders of Afghanistan, following the group’s return to power in 2021.
Judge Oleg Nefedov announced the immediate effect of the ruling on Thursday, marking a notable shift in Russia’s approach to Afghanistan.
The decision is the culmination of years of gradual rapprochement between Moscow and the Taliban, despite a complex and often tumultuous history that began during the Afghan Civil War in the 1990s.
This new alignment is largely driven by shared security interests, especially concerning the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant’s regional affiliate, ISKP.
President Vladimir Putin has previously described the Taliban as an “ally” in counterterrorism, highlighting Moscow’s increasingly cooperative stance. In line with these developments, Russia’s envoy to Kabul has hinted at efforts to officially delist the group from the terror designation.
Moreover, Russia is eyeing Afghanistan as a potential transit hub for gas exports to Southeast Asia, a strategic move aimed at diversifying its economic partnerships. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has emphasized that Russia will continue to strengthen its political, trade, and economic ties with Kabul.
This shift mirrors a broader trend in the region, as Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have also re-evaluated their stances on the Taliban in recent years, removing the group from their lists of terrorist organizations.
Notably, several nations, including China, India, and various Middle Eastern countries, have established diplomatic relations with Kabul post-takeover. In 2023, China made headlines by becoming the first to appoint an ambassador to Afghanistan after the Taliban’s resurgence.
As global dynamics continue to evolve, Russia’s suspension of the Taliban ban marks a crucial step in redefining its foreign relations and underscores the complex geopolitics surrounding Afghanistan.
