Russia Suspends Taliban Terror Designation Amid Growing Diplomatic Engagement
Moscow, April 17, 2025 – Russia’s Supreme Court has officially suspended its long-standing designation of the Taliban as a terrorist organization, a move seen as part of Moscow’s ongoing efforts to normalize ties with Afghanistan’s current leadership.
The decision, announced on Thursday and effective immediately, came at the request of Russia’s Prosecutor General. The ruling marks a significant shift in Russia’s foreign policy and follows years of gradually improving relations between the two sides.
According to reports by Russia’s state-run Tass news agency, Judge Oleg Nefedov confirmed the suspension of the two-decade-old ban. The Taliban, which assumed control of Afghanistan in 2021, has increasingly engaged with Russia in recent years, particularly on shared security interests.
Security and Strategic Cooperation
Russia has cited joint concerns over regional threats, including the rise of the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), as a reason for closer cooperation with the Taliban. In 2023, President Vladimir Putin referred to the Taliban as a counterterrorism “ally”, and Russia’s envoy to Kabul signaled plans to formally delist the group.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated Russia’s intention to expand political, economic, and trade relations with Afghanistan, emphasizing long-term goals such as using Afghanistan as a transit hub for energy exports to Southeast Asia.
Growing Regional Acceptance
While the Taliban-led government has yet to receive formal international recognition, several regional powers have made strides toward engagement. Countries including China, India, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Iran continue to maintain embassies in Kabul. In 2023, China became the first to officially appoint an ambassador under the Taliban’s rule.
Other Central Asian nations have also revised their positions. Kazakhstan removed the Taliban from its terrorist list in 2023, followed by Kyrgyzstan in 2024.
Despite these developments, international concerns remain over the group’s domestic policies, particularly its restrictions on women’s rights and education for girls. However, nations across Asia appear to be adopting a pragmatic approach focused on regional security and economic cooperation.
