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On April 17, 2025, Russia’s Supreme Court officially removed the Taliban from its list of banned terrorist organizations.
Russia’s decision to lift the Taliban ban clears the way for deeper political, economic, and military engagement with Afghanistan’s rulers—marking a bold shift in Moscow’s foreign policy. While not a formal recognition of the Taliban government, the move signals Russia’s growing ambitions in the Middle East and Central Asia.
Takeaway: Moscow’s Taliban delisting isn’t symbolic—it’s a calculated strategy.
Why Russia Lifted the Ban
Backed by a 2024 law, Russia’s decision to lift the Taliban ban was initiated by the Prosecutor General’s Office. Moscow cited the group’s evolving role in regional security, especially against ISIS-K, and growing economic relevance.
The Taliban has been increasingly involved in talks with Russian officials, with delegations attending economic forums and engaging in energy transit discussions. The court ruling removes legal friction for these initiatives.
Takeaway: Russia is playing the long game—focusing on strategic returns, not ideology.
Russia’s Growing Ties with the Taliban
Since the Taliban took control in 2021, Russia has hosted delegations, held economic forums, and funded infrastructure discussions. The court ruling now gives those ties legal clarity.
President Putin has called the Taliban “allies” in counterterrorism and regional stability efforts. That rhetoric is now backed by policy.
Russia wants to route natural gas through Afghanistan. With Western sanctions in place, alternative trade paths are more valuable than ever.
Takeaway: Russia’s Taliban pivot is rooted in real-world benefits—not just regional optics.
A Strategic Alliance with Iran
Russia’s Taliban pivot is part of a broader regional alignment. In January 2025, Moscow signed a 20-year strategic cooperation treaty with Iran, including energy, defense, and financial coordination.
With Iran as a transit hub and Afghanistan as a potential energy corridor, the alliance extends from the Arctic to the Indian Ocean.
Russia’s decision to lift the Taliban ban complements this alliance by enabling the North-South Transport Corridor to run through Afghanistan.
Takeaway: The map is changing—and Moscow wants to draw the lines.
What the Taliban Delisting Means Regionally
By casting the Taliban as allies against ISIS-K, Russia strengthens its narrative as a security stabilizer in Central Asia.
India, China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE all maintain diplomatic ties with the Taliban. Russia’s move aligns it with this emerging consensus—even as Western powers hesitate.
With the Taliban no longer legally isolated, Russia can pursue arms deals, resource extraction projects, and military coordination more openly.
Takeaway: Russia is making itself indispensable in a region reshaped by U.S. withdrawal.
Projecting Power in the Middle East
By aligning with the Taliban, Russia is stepping into the power vacuum left by the U.S. withdrawal. This includes deeper ties with Iran, expanded influence in Central Asia, and engagement with regional players like China, India, and Saudi Arabia.
Russia’s decision to lift the Taliban ban also strengthens its narrative as a counterterrorism partner in the region, despite the Taliban’s controversial domestic policies.
Takeaway: Russia is repositioning itself as a Middle East power broker—on its own terms.
Final Take
Russia’s decision to lift the Taliban ban is more than a legal shift—it’s a foreign policy signal. From energy trade to counterterrorism, Moscow is deepening its ties with Afghanistan’s rulers as part of a broader push to challenge U.S. influence in the Middle East.
Bottom Line: Russia is positioning itself as a power broker in a changing region—using the Taliban as one more piece in its geopolitical playbook.
