Russia’s Supreme Court Lifts Ban on Taliban, Signals Closer Ties

Moscow, April 17, 2025 – Russia’s Supreme Court has lifted a decades-long ban on Afghanistan’s Taliban, removing the group from its list of terrorist organizations. The decision, effective immediately, marks a significant step toward normalizing relations with the Taliban, which has governed Afghanistan since seizing power in 2021.

The ruling came at the request of Russia’s prosecutor general, according to Judge Oleg Nefedov, as reported by the Tass news agency. It reflects Moscow’s growing alignment with the Taliban, driven by shared security concerns and economic interests.

For over 20 years, Russia had labeled the Taliban a terrorist group, a designation rooted in the Afghan Civil War of the 1990s. However, recent years have seen a thaw in relations. Russia and the Taliban have found common ground in combating the Islamic State’s regional branch, known as ISKP, which has carried out deadly attacks in both Afghanistan and Russia.

Last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the Taliban an “ally” in the fight against terrorism. Moscow has also hosted Taliban officials at events like the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, signaling a warming relationship. Russia sees Afghanistan as a potential transit hub for gas exports to Southeast Asia, further motivating closer ties.

“Moscow will continue to develop political, trade, and economic ties with Kabul,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in October 2024.

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Other Asian nations have also softened their stance toward the Taliban. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan removed the group from their terrorist lists in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Countries like China, India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran maintain embassies in Kabul, with China appointing an ambassador in 2023. However, no country has fully recognized the Taliban government, which has faced criticism for banning girls’ education and restricting women’s rights.

The decision comes amid global shifts in how nations engage with Afghanistan’s de facto rulers. While Russia’s move does not equate to formal recognition, it signals a pragmatic approach to working with the Taliban on shared goals.

The international community continues to watch how these evolving relationships will shape Afghanistan’s future and its role in regional stability.