Russia Suspends Two-Decade Ban On Taliban Amid Deepening Ties With Afghanistan

Russia had proscribed the Taliban movement as a terrorist outfit in 2003. However, after the hasty withdrawal of the US troops from Kabul in August 2021, the Taliban gained control over Afghanistan.

Russia had proscribed the Taliban movement as a terrorist outfit in 2003.

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Russia's Supreme Court on Thursday suspended its two-decade ban on the Taliban, which is designated as a "terrorist organisation".

The latest move is set to pave the way for the establishment of full-fledged relations between Moscow and Kabul.

Russia had proscribed the Taliban movement as a terrorist outfit in 2003. However, after the hasty withdrawal of the US troops from Kabul in August 2021, the Taliban has gained control over Afghanistan.

Judge Oleg Nefedov said that the ruling, prompted by a request from the prosecutor general, will be effective immediately. 

"By decision of the Russian Supreme Court, the previously established ban on the activities of the Taliban movement, included in the unified federal list of organizations recognized as terrorist, is suspended," the judge was quoted as saying by the state-run TASS news agency.

The advocate and representatives of the Taliban were present for the in-camera hearing. The security interests in the region, including the fight against the ISIL and ISKP have drawn Kremlin and the Taliban closed. 

In December last, the Russian Duma amended the law which allowed the temporary lifting of the ban on the Taliban to facilitate interaction with the group.

"We are grateful for the decision, it will help strengthen cooperation," the Afghan embassy in Moscow was quoted as saying.

The court's ruling removes legal obstacles to full-fledged political and economic relations between the two countries, Russian special presidential envoy for Afghanistan and top diplomat's advisor Zamir Kabulov told TASS.

"We will have to work with the Afghans in the interests of full normalization of bilateral relations," he added.

Last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin called Taliban as an "ally" in counterterrorism efforts, while his envoy to Kabul announced plans to delist the group. Moscow is also looking to use Kabul as a transit hub for gas exports to Southeast Asia.