Russia paves way to remove Taliban from terror list

Russia’s parliament on Tuesday, December 17, approved a bill that could allow Moscow to lift its designation of the Taliban as a banned “terrorist” organisation.

Moscow has been fostering relations with the Taliban since the group seized power in Afghanistan following the United States’ chaotic withdrawal in 2021. Officials have since been working toward removing the Taliban from Russia’s list of outlawed “terrorist” organisations.

The State Duma passed a bill creating a legal mechanism for groups to be removed from the list, laying the groundwork for an anticipated future decision. Russia’s upper-house Federation Council is set to consider the bill on Friday, after which it will move to President Vladimir Putin for approval and signing into law.

During a visit to Kabul last month, senior Russian security officials told Afghan counterparts that Moscow would soon remove the Taliban from its list of banned organisations.

Under the proposed system, Russia’s Prosecutor General can submit a request to a court stating that a group has “ceased” its activities in support of terrorism. A judge would then rule on whether to remove the group’s designation.

The expected move does not amount to formal recognition of the Taliban government, known as the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,” a step no country has yet taken.

Earlier this year, President Putin referred to the Taliban as “allies in the fight against terrorism,” while Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged the West to lift sanctions on Afghanistan and assume “responsibility” for the country’s reconstruction.

Russia’s Central Asian allies, which share borders with Afghanistan, are also strengthening ties with the Taliban. Kazakhstan removed the Taliban from its list of banned “terrorist” groups at the end of 2023.

The move could enhance diplomatic relations between Moscow and Afghanistan, as both face increasing isolation from the West. Since retaking power in 2021, the Taliban have imposed a strict interpretation of Islamic law, effectively banning women from public life.