Russia has suspended its 20-year ban on the Taliban, which had been designated a terrorist organization since 2003. The move signals Moscow’s intent to normalize relations with the group that seized control of Afghanistan in August 2021 following the U.S. withdrawal.
The decision, made by Russia’s Supreme Court on Thursday, removes the Taliban from the list of banned terrorist organizations, potentially opening the door for increased diplomatic engagement. While no country officially recognizes the Taliban government, Russia has been gradually strengthening ties, with President Vladimir Putin acknowledging the group as an ally in the fight against terrorism.
Russia’s shift comes amid growing security concerns, particularly from Islamist militant groups operating across the region. In March 2024, an attack by ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K), the Afghan branch of the Islamic State, killed 145 people near Moscow. Russian officials have since expressed the need for cooperation with the Taliban, who claim to be working to eliminate ISIS-K presence in Afghanistan.
However, Western diplomats caution that the Taliban’s path to broader international recognition is hindered by its ongoing restrictions on women’s rights, including the closure of girls’ schools and universities, and limitations on women’s freedom of movement. The Taliban asserts that it respects women’s rights under its interpretation of Islamic law.