By Sama Marwan,
In a major diplomatic shift, the Russian Supreme Court has officially lifted the ban on Taliban activities within the country, paving the way for direct political and legal cooperation with the movement’s government in Afghanistan.
The decision came following a request by the Prosecutor General, based on a new law signed by President Putin in December 2024. The law allows the temporary suspension of bans on organizations classified as terrorist if they cease terrorist activities.
Despite the Taliban remaining on Russia’s list of terrorist organizations since 2003, Moscow has maintained open communication channels, hosted Taliban representatives on several occasions, and continued operating its embassy in Kabul.
This rapprochement aims to strengthen Russia’s role in Central Asia, especially amid the rising threat of “ISIS-Khorasan” and Moscow’s efforts to position itself more firmly in the Afghan file following the West’s withdrawal.
However, the move remains controversial, as the Taliban continues to face sharp international criticism over its restrictions on women’s rights and civil liberties. This places Moscow in a delicate balance between security interests and global human rights pressure.
Is Russia paving the way for international recognition of the Taliban? Time will tell.
