Russian Supreme Court to Consider Lifting Ban on Taliban

The Office of the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation has petitioned the Supreme Court to lift the ban on the Taliban, according to a report from the Interfax news agency on March 31. The court is set to review the request on April 17, with the proceedings scheduled to be held behind closed doors.

In December 2024, the Russian Parliament passed legislation that allows organizations to be removed from the list of banned terrorist groups if they cease activities deemed supportive of terrorism. This legal framework grants the Prosecutor General the authority to request such delisting from the court.

Since the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, Russia has been seeking ways to engage with its leadership. Russian leader Vladimir Putin has previously referred to the Taliban as “allies in the fight against terrorism.”

However, removing the Taliban from Russia’s list of terrorist organizations does not imply formal recognition of their government.

The Taliban is still designated as a terrorist organization by several countries and international bodies, including the United Nations.

Earlier, it was reported that Russia has established imports from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, including soft drinks and energy drinks, such as Coca-Cola, which exited Russia after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian Ambassador to Afghanistan Dmitry Zhirnov stated in an interview with RIA Novosti.