Russia’s Supreme Court made a major decision by suspending the label of “terrorist organization” from the Taliban group, which currently rules Afghanistan. This label had been in place since 2003. The change came more than two years after the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021, following the sudden withdrawal of U.S. troops.
This court ruling means Russia no longer considers the Taliban as a terrorist group under its national laws. It also opens the door for stronger political and business ties between Russia and Afghanistan. Officials in Moscow say this decision allows Russia to start treating the Taliban government more like a regular government, especially when it comes to trade, security, and investment.
But even with this new ruling, the Russian government wants the world to know one thing very clearly — it is not ignoring global rules on fighting terrorism.
Russia to Follow UN’s Anti-Terrorism Rules
Soon after the court ruling, Russia’s Foreign Ministry released an official statement. The ministry said that while the Taliban is no longer seen as a terrorist group by Russia’s own legal system, Russia will still respect all United Nations Security Council (UNSC) rules. These rules include sanctions against specific people and organizations linked to terrorism — including those related to the Taliban.
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In simpler terms, the Foreign Ministry made it clear that Russia won’t stop following international efforts to fight terrorism. Sanctions under the UN’s system remain in place, and Russia is committed to sticking to those agreements.
This means that even though Russia may talk to the Taliban government and build relations with it, they will still freeze the bank accounts and restrict the travel of individuals who are listed under international terror laws. The rules are still active for those connected to any violent or terror-related actions, even if they’re tied to the Taliban government.
Focus on Partnership, Not Extremism
The Russian Foreign Ministry also explained why the court decision was made. They said it reflects the new reality in Afghanistan, where the Taliban has been in power since 2021. Since then, the previous government — which had close ties to Western countries — collapsed, and the Taliban formed a new government.
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Now, with the ban lifted, Russia says it wants to work more closely with the Afghan authorities in many areas. This includes fighting terrorism, stopping the flow of illegal drugs, and building stronger business and trade connections.
Russia also praised the Taliban-led government for taking action against more extreme groups like Wilayat Khorasan, which is an Afghan branch of ISIS. This group follows a much more violent and global version of jihad and has carried out several deadly attacks. Moscow said it values the efforts made by Afghan forces to stop this group.
Despite the changes at home, Russia’s message to the world remains steady — it wants to build a stronger relationship with Afghanistan but will not break international rules to do so. The Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized that Russia will continue its cooperation with the United Nations and follow all rules to stop the spread of terrorism around the world.
