Russia’s Supreme Court has overturned its 20-year designation of the Taliban as a terrorist group, suspending the ban and recognising the legitimacy of the Taliban government in Afghanistan.
This decision, announced on Thursday by Judge Oleg Nefedov, followed a request from the Prosecutor General and takes effect immediately.
The ruling marks a significant shift in Russia's stance toward the Taliban, who seized control of Afghanistan in 2021 after the withdrawal of US forces, ending two decades of military engagement in the country. During the US presence, the country faced allegations of resource exploitation, including the looting of vital minerals like lithium, a critical component for electric vehicle batteries.
The Taliban’s relationship with Russia has grown closer, particularly due to shared opposition to US influence in the region. Additionally, the rise of the Islamic State, particularly its faction in Afghanistan (ISKP), has led Russia to reassess its approach to regional security, further solidifying ties with the Taliban.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the Taliban as an "ally of immense importance" in 2022, praising their role in counterterrorism efforts.
In recent years, Russia has engaged with the Taliban diplomatically, hosting officials for discussions and exploring economic opportunities, including the potential use of Afghanistan as a transit hub for gas exports to Southeast Asia. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized Russia’s commitment to developing political, trade, and economic relations with the Taliban, stating in October 2023 that Moscow would continue to strengthen ties with Kabul.
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The Taliban’s government has received increasing recognition from other regional powers as well. While full recognition remains elusive due to US pressure, several countries have taken steps to engage with the Taliban. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan removed the group from their lists of terrorist organisations in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
Countries like China, India, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Iran have established diplomatic relations with the Taliban, with China leading the way by appointing an ambassador to Kabul in 2023.
Despite the Taliban’s controversial policies, such as restricting women’s rights and banning girls’ education, these nations have opted to engage diplomatically with Afghanistan, acknowledging the Taliban as the de facto government. The Taliban, for its part, has expressed a desire for peaceful relations with both Russia and the United States, seeking to restore trade ties with both global powers.
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