Afghanistan, April 17 -- Russia has officially lifted its two-decade-long ban on the Afghan Taliban, removing the group from its list of designated terrorist organizations. The move, confirmed by Russian state media on Thursday, marks a significant shift in Moscow's diplomatic posture toward the de facto rulers of Afghanistan.
The Russian Supreme Court's decision to lift the ban, imposed in 2003, takes immediate effect and paves the way for broader engagement between the Kremlin and the Taliban. Although no country has formally recognized the Taliban-led government since it seized power in August 2021 following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces, Moscow has gradually deepened its ties with the group in recent years.
President Vladimir...