Moscow: Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced on Friday that a decision has been made “at the highest level” to remove the Taliban from the list of terrorist organizations, according to state news agency TASS. The move represents a significant shift in Moscow’s policy toward Afghanistan and the Taliban, although legal procedures must still follow to formalize the decision, said Zamir Kabulov, President Vladimir Putin’s special representative on Afghanistan.
In July, Putin stated that Russia considers the Taliban an ally in the fight against terrorism. Since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021, following the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces, Russia has slowly strengthened its ties with the group, despite its continued classification as a terrorist organization under Russian law.
No country has yet formally recognized the Taliban as Afghanistan’s legitimate government, though China and the UAE have accepted Taliban-appointed ambassadors. For Russia, removing the Taliban from its terrorist list would mark a key step toward normalizing relations with Afghanistan.
Strategic Dialogue with Afghanistan
Speaking at a meeting in Moscow with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and representatives from neighboring countries, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stressed the importance of maintaining a “pragmatic dialogue” with Afghanistan’s current government. Lavrov emphasized that solving Afghanistan’s challenges or discussing any form of settlement requires engaging with Kabul.
Lavrov also commended the Afghan leadership for its efforts in curbing drug production and fighting the Islamic State (IS), which remains banned in Russia. While he did not mention the Taliban by name, his comments implied approval of the group’s policies in these areas.
Also Read | Middle East Tensions Soar: Hezbollah Targets Israel, US and UK Strike Houthis
Humanitarian Aid and Post-Conflict Reconstruction
Lavrov further criticized the West for failing to recognize its responsibility for Afghanistan’s post-conflict reconstruction. He urged the United States to return confiscated assets to Afghanistan and called for an increase in humanitarian assistance. Russia, he said, will continue sending essential food and supplies to the Afghan people.
Also Read | US Army Tests AI-Enhanced Robot Dogs Armed with Rifles in the Middle East
Historical Context and Security Concerns
Russia’s relationship with Afghanistan has been historically fraught. The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979 to support a pro-Moscow government, but after a decade of fierce conflict with mujahideen fighters, the Soviets withdrew in 1989, suffering heavy casualties.
In more recent times, Russia and its post-Soviet neighbors have experienced attacks linked to Islamist militant groups operating in Afghanistan. The most notable incident occurred in March, when 145 people were killed in a concert hall bombing near Moscow, an attack claimed by Islamic State.
