On April 17, 2025, Russia’s Supreme Court officially removed the Taliban from its list of designated terrorist organizations, ending a classification that had been in place since 2003. This decision, initiated by the Prosecutor General’s Office and facilitated by recent legal amendments, signifies a strategic shift in Moscow’s approach to Afghanistan’s ruling authority .
The move is part of Russia’s broader effort to normalize relations with the Taliban-led government, which took control of Afghanistan in August 2021 following the U.S. withdrawal. Despite the Taliban’s controversial governance, including restrictions on women’s rights and the implementation of strict Islamic law, Russia has maintained engagement with the group, viewing it as a potential ally in counterterrorism efforts, particularly against threats like the Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K) .
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This development aligns Russia with other regional countries such as Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, which have also removed the Taliban from their terrorist lists. However, the Taliban remains designated as a terrorist organization in several other nations, including the United States and Canada .
Russia’s decision is expected to facilitate increased political and economic cooperation with Afghanistan, including potential trade agreements and infrastructure projects, as Moscow seeks to expand its influence in Central Asia .
