Russian media reports seek to have the Taliban taken off the terrorism list.
The Taliban have long been listed as a terrorist organization by Moscow, dating back to 2003. However, with their removal from this list, Russia is now aligning itself with Kazakhstan, where the Taliban has not been designated as a terrorist organization since the end of 2023.
Lavrov, in an interview with RIA Novosti, emphasized that Russia has close ties to Afghanistan, stating, "We're paying attention to the situation in Afghanistan because our allies in Central Asia are not indifferent to it either."
Russia holds serious concerns about the safety of the former Soviet republics sharing borders with Afghanistan. The Kremlin is apprehensive about the potential rise of new jihadist groups fueled by the Taliban, as well as the possible surge in migrants and the growth of opium and heroin production in the region.
Although this is not an official recognition of the Taliban government in Kabul, there have been signs of growing engagement between the two nations. In early June, Taliban representatives were invited to the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg.
The Taliban seized control of Afghanistan yet again in the summer of 2021, following the withdrawal of international forces. Ever since then, Russia has engaged in maintaining diplomatic relations with the Taliban, defying international sanctions against their government. Rumors of Russia supplying weapons to the Taliban first emerged in 2018, but Moscow denied these allegations.
Tensions between Russia and Afghanistan can be traced back to the Soviet invasion in 1979, sparking a decade-long war against Islamic militias that were later supported by the United States. Following the withdrawal of Soviet soldiers, these militias transformed into the radical Islamist group, the Taliban.
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- According to RIA Novosti news agency, Russia is advocating for the Taliban's removal from the terrorism list.
- Despite Russia listing the Taliban as a terrorist organization since 2003, they are now aligning with Kazakhstan, where the Taliban is not designated as such.
- In Moscow, Lavrov discussed Russia's close ties to Afghanistan with RIA Novosti, expressing concern about the safety of former Soviet republics sharing borders with Afghanistan.
- Central Asian nations, including Kazakhstan, have not designated the Taliban as a terrorist organization, leading Russia to engage in diplomatic relations with them.
- RIA Novosti reported that Taliban representatives were invited to the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg in early June, a sign of growing engagement between Russia and the Taliban.
- State media reported that Sergey Lavrov, in his interview with RIA Novosti, emphasized the importance of the situation in Afghanistan to Russia and its Central Asian allies.
Source: www.stern.de
