Overview

• The Russian Supreme Court officially delisted the Taliban as a terrorist organization on April 17, 2025, following a request by the prosecutor in March.
• The measure is described as symbolic, signaling Moscow's intent to strengthen economic and security cooperation with the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan.
• Russia's move reflects broader regional ambitions and its strategy to position the Taliban as allies against extremist threats like IS-K, particularly after a deadly 2024 attack near Moscow.
• The delisting follows legislative changes in late 2024 allowing the removal of groups from the terrorist list if they are deemed to have ceased promoting terrorism.
• While Russia joins countries like Pakistan, China, and Iran in engaging with the Taliban, it has not formally recognized the group as Afghanistan's legitimate government.