Russia calls for removing the Taliban from list of terrorist organizations
In an interesting diplomatic development, Russia is seeking to reassess the status of the Taliban, as the Russian Duma discusses a proposal to remove the movement from the list of terrorist organizations.
Media sources revealed that a group of representatives and members of the Senate submitted a draft law that allows the suspension of the ban on the activities of organizations listed on the terrorist list, if data is available confirming that this organization has stopped its activities related to terrorism.
Meanwhile, Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian Security Council, stated that his country plans to strengthen political and economic relations with Afghanistan.
Zamir Kabulov, the special presidential envoy for Afghanistan, confirmed that the legal procedures for removing the Taliban from the terrorist list are nearing completion.
Despite its current status, the movement’s legal status hasn’t prevented continued cooperation with Moscow.
The Russian embassy in Kabul continued to operate after the Taliban takeover in 2021, and Russia regularly hosts delegations from the movement.
President Putin had made it clear last July that “the Taliban are Moscow’s allies in the fight against terrorism”.
Indeed, Central Asian countries have taken similar positions, with Kazakhstan deciding in June to remove the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations.
However, the international stance towards the Taliban remains complex, especially with continuing concerns about human rights and women’s rights under its rule.
