Russia Removes Taliban from Terrorist List
Russia has officially lifted its two-decade-long ban on the Afghan Taliban, removing the group from its list of designated terrorist organizations. The move, confirmed by Russian state media on Thursday, marks a significant shift in Moscow’s diplomatic posture toward the de facto rulers of Afghanistan.
The Russian Supreme Court’s decision to lift the ban, imposed in 2003, takes immediate effect and paves the way for broader engagement between the Kremlin and the Taliban. Although no country has formally recognized the Taliban-led government since it seized power in August 2021 following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces, Moscow has gradually deepened its ties with the group in recent years.
President Vladimir Putin previously described the Taliban as a partner in combating terrorism. Russia now views cooperation with the group as a strategic necessity, especially amid growing regional security threats from extremist organizations.
One such group is Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K), which claimed responsibility for the deadly March 2024 attack on a concert hall near Moscow that killed at least 145 people. U.S. intelligence pointed to ISIS-K as the orchestrator, further fueling Russia’s concern over the militant presence in and around Afghanistan. The Taliban, for its part, maintains it is actively targeting ISIS-K and other extremist factions operating on Afghan soil.
Despite these developments, the Taliban remains isolated on the international stage due to its human rights record—particularly concerning women’s rights. The group has imposed sweeping restrictions on Afghan women, including banning them from secondary and higher education and limiting their public presence without a male guardian. The Taliban claims its policies are aligned with Islamic principles.
Western governments continue to insist that meaningful engagement and recognition will depend on the Taliban’s willingness to uphold international human rights standards.
Russia’s latest move, while not constituting formal recognition of the Taliban government, signals a pragmatic step toward deeper relations and regional coordination.
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