Russia Seeks to Delist Taliban as Terror Group

Russia is moving to remove the Taliban from its list of designated terrorist organizations, reflecting closer cooperation with the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, particularly against ISIS-K. The Kremlin has called on Western countries to lift sanctions on Afghanistan and return assets appropriated from Kabul, emphasizing the Taliban's role in fighting ISIS and drugs. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov highlighted the importance of maintaining dialogue with the Taliban, noting that no international government has formally recognized their administration. The decision to delist the Taliban is pending legal procedures, but it signifies a shift towards normalizing relations, despite the Taliban's harsh domestic policies, especially against women. Russia has been gradually building ties with the Taliban since its rise to power following the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.