Russia lifted its ban on the Taliban on Thursday, which had been in place for over two decades, labeling the group a terrorist organization.
This decision marks a shift in Moscow’s stance, potentially leading to normalizing relations with the Taliban’s government in Afghanistan.
Despite the Taliban taking control of Afghanistan in August 2021, following the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. forces, no country officially recognizes its government.
Russia, however, has increasingly built ties with the group, with President Vladimir Putin acknowledging the Taliban as an ally in the fight against terrorism.
The ban was lifted after the Russian Supreme Court made the decision, effective immediately.
Moscow’s move comes amid growing security concerns, as it faces threats from various Islamist militant groups across the region, including those operating from Afghanistan.
Notably, in March 2024, an attack at a concert hall in Moscow killed at least 145 people, a tragedy claimed by the Islamic State’s Afghan branch, Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K).
The Taliban, for its part, has stated its efforts to eliminate IS-K presence within Afghanistan.
Despite these shifts, the Taliban’s path toward international recognition is hindered by its policies on women’s rights.
The group has shut down girls’ schools and universities and imposed severe restrictions on women’s freedom of movement without a male guardian, citing adherence to its interpretation of Islamic law.