The Russian Supreme Court has suspended the Taliban ban. The Taliban had been designated as a “terrorist organization” for more than 20 years, Al Jazeera reported.
The latest move aims to normalize relations with the de facto ruler of Afghanistan.
According to Russian TASS News Agency, Judge Oleg Nefedov announced that Thursday’s ruling — prompted by a request from prosecutors — would be effective immediately.
The move in favor of the group that seized power in Afghanistan in 2021 continues its long-standing gradual reconciliation with Moscow despite a turbulent history dating back to the Afghan civil war of the 1990s.
More recently, shared security interests, including a fight with ISKP, a regional affiliate of ISIL, have attracted Russia and the Taliban more closely.
Last year, President Vladimir Putin described the Taliban as a “alliance” in its counterterrorism efforts, and envoys to Kabul announced plans to abolish the group.
Moscow, which has hosted Taliban officials in several forums in recent years, aims to use Afghanistan as a transport hub for gas exports to Southeast Asia.
“Moscow will continue its course on the development of political, trade and economic ties with Kabul,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in October last year.
“Moscow will continue its course on the development of political, trade and economic ties with Kabul,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in October last year.