Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan following the US’s disastrous pullout from the nation in 2021, Moscow has pursued ties with the group.
A law that could allow Moscow to remove the Taliban in Afghanistan off its list of prohibited “terrorist” organizations has been passed by the Russian parliament.
A measure detailing a procedure for groups to be officially removed from the list was enacted by the State Duma, establishing the legal foundation for an anticipated future decision.
The Federation Council, the upper chamber, will now review the bill before President Vladimir Putin signs it into law.
Top Russian security officials assured their Afghan counterparts during a visit to Kabul last month that Moscow will shortly take the Taliban off of the list of prohibited groups.
A request stating that an organization has “ceased” its operations “in support of terrorism” would be submitted to a Russian court by the Prosecutor General of Russia under the proposed approach. The designation could then be revoked by a judge.
Anticipated action
A formal recognition of the Taliban administration and what it refers to as the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan”—a step that no nation has yet taken—would not be achieved by the anticipated action.
Putin referred to the Taliban as “allies in the fight against terrorism” earlier this year, while Sergey Lavrov, the foreign minister, has demanded that the West lift sanctions on Afghanistan and assume “responsibility” for the country’s rehabilitation.
Central Asian neighbors of Afghanistan are likewise promising improved ties with the Taliban. At the end of 2023, Kazakhstan took the Taliban from its own list of prohibited “terrorist” organizations.
Given that Afghanistan and Moscow are both isolated in the West, the action might improve relations between the two nations.
The Taliban enforced their own interpretation of Islamic law after taking control in 2021. Women were essentially barred from public life as a result.
