Russia Advances Toward Removing Taliban from Terrorist List

The Russian Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for April 17 to consider lifting the Taliban's terrorist designation, following a formal request by the Prosecutor General's Office.

Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has formally petitioned the Supreme Court to suspend the Taliban's terrorist designation, originally imposed in 2003.
The Supreme Court has scheduled a closed-door hearing on the matter for April 17, marking a significant step in Russia's evolving relationship with the Taliban.
In December 2024, Russia passed a law allowing the temporary suspension of terrorist designations for groups deemed to have ceased terror-related activities.
President Vladimir Putin has referred to the Taliban as a 'trusted ally' in combating IS-K, which claimed responsibility for a deadly attack in Moscow in 2024.
This move reflects Russia's strategic priorities, including countering IS-K, strengthening regional alliances, and addressing its geopolitical isolation.