Russia has made a significant decision to remove the Afghan Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations, signaling a shift in its stance towards the group. President Vladimir Putin’s special representative on Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, highlighted that the decision was made at the highest level and will undergo legal procedures to be finalized.
This move comes after Putin stated in July that Russia views the Taliban as an ally in the fight against terrorism. Despite being outlawed in Russia, the Taliban has been gaining recognition, with China and the UAE accepting its ambassadors.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov emphasized the importance of maintaining a pragmatic dialogue with the Afghan government and applauded their efforts to combat drug production and the Islamic State group. Lavrov also called for the return of confiscated assets to Afghanistan and increased humanitarian aid to support the country’s reconstruction.
With a history of military involvement in Afghanistan, including the Soviet invasion in 1979, Russia is seeking to build diplomatic ties and play a constructive role in the region’s stability. As the situation in Afghanistan evolves, Russia is positioning itself to engage with the Afghan government and ensure humanitarian support for the country’s people.