Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – Russia has announced a “principal decision” to remove the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations, signaling a significant shift in policy toward Afghanistan’s ruling faction. Zamir Kabulov, the Russian presidential envoy to Afghanistan, confirmed on Friday that the delisting process is in its final stages, with legal adjustments being finalized in accordance with Russian law.
The decision was revealed as Russia hosted a high-level conference of regional countries in Moscow to discuss the future of Afghanistan. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov led the talks, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a pragmatic dialogue with the Taliban, which has held power in Afghanistan since 2021 following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces.
Lavrov reiterated Russia’s commitment to strengthening political, trade, and economic relations with Kabul, noting that the Taliban’s efforts to combat narcotics and the regional threat posed by ISIS-K were key factors in Moscow’s decision.
Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, attending the conference, welcomed the move, as well as similar steps taken by Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, while calling for regional cooperation against terrorism. Despite growing ties with Russia and other nations, the Taliban government remains unrecognized by most of the international community, with Washington maintaining its firm opposition to any formal recognition.
This development marks a turning point in Russia’s relationship with the Taliban, a group it has long designated as a terrorist entity since 2003. Moscow’s engagement with the Taliban has deepened in recent years, with Russian President Vladimir Putin describing the group as an ally in the fight against terrorism earlier this year.
