Russian envoy says proposal to remove Taliban from Russia's list of banned organizations submitted to Putin

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia’s special envoy for Afghanistan said Monday that a proposal to remove the Taliban from Moscow’s list of banned organizations has been submitted to President Vladimir Putin for a final decision.

Zamir Kabulov told Russian state news agency TASS that Russia's Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs have conveyed to President Putin that the Taliban can be removed from the list of banned organizations in agreement with other departments.

“This is mandatory. Without this, it would be premature to talk about recognition. Therefore, this issue continues to be studied. All considerations have been reported to the top leadership of Russia. We are waiting for a decision to be made,” Kabulov said.

He said that Russia’s recognition of the interim Taliban government has become much closer since it returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.

“But there are still some points that need to be overcome, after which the Russian leadership will make a decision,” Kabulov said.

He added that Moscow has no plans to hold any events or exchange congratulatory telegrams with the interim Taliban government regarding the 105th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries due to the “lack of official recognition.”

However, he also noted than an invitation has been sent to the Taliban to take part in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum scheduled to be held on June 5-8.

Russia included the Taliban in its list of banned terrorist organizations back in 2003.