Overview

• Russia's Supreme Court suspended the Taliban's designation as a terrorist organization, effective immediately, following a request from the Prosecutor General.
• This decision marks a significant shift in Moscow's policy, paving the way for formalized ties and economic agreements with Afghanistan's leadership.
• President Vladimir Putin previously described the Taliban as allies in combating terrorism, particularly against the Islamic State Khorasan Province (IS-K).
• The move aligns Russia with regional neighbors like Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, which have also removed the Taliban from terror lists in recent years.
• Despite this development, the Taliban remains unrecognized internationally, with Western governments emphasizing the need for reforms on human rights and women's freedoms.