Russia’s Supreme Court has received a petition from Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov to lift the ban on the Taliban in Afghanistan. The court will hold a hearing on 17 April to consider suspending the terrorist designation imposed two decades ago.
This legal manoeuvre follows Moscow’s gradual warming towards the militant movement since its return to power in 2021.
President Vladimir Putin even called the Taliban "a trusted ally" last July, suggesting the group could help Russia fight against Islamic State.
The Taliban ban has been de facto ignored for years. Moscow has hosted Taliban delegations at various forums despite the formal prohibition on contact with designated terrorist organisations.
The anticipated reversal builds on legislation passed in December. Russian parliament passed a law allowing suspension of bans on groups previously designated as terrorist organisations.
U.S.-Taliban Relations Enter New Phase
As Russia warms to the Taliban, Washington has also begun thawing relations with Afghanistan’s rulers.
The United States recently removed multimillion-dollar bounties on leaders of the Haqqani network, including current Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani.
These officials remain on Washington’s list of “specially designated global terrorists,” but the price on their heads has been scrubbed off the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s website.
U.S. Delegation Arrives in Afghanistan
The first U.S. delegation since 2021 arrived in Afghanistan recently. Adam Boehler, special representative for hostage affairs, and Zalmay Khalilzad met with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul.
The visit yielded immediate results; U.S. citizen George Glezmann was freed after two years’ detention in what Khalilzad described as a goodwill gesture.
This prisoner release echoes a January exchange when two Americans were swapped for a Taliban member serving a life sentence for terrorism in the United States.
Mineral Wealth Drives Global Interest
The scramble for Afghanistan intensifies as major powers eye its estimated $1 trillion in mineral resources. These include copper, cobalt, lithium, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires.
China has already taken steps to help the Taliban develop what could be the world’s second-biggest copper deposit. Washington now appears keen to prevent Beijing from securing an exclusive hold on these resources.
Donald Trump has expressed regret about abandoning Bagram Air Base, noting its strategic position near Chinese nuclear sites. This suggests military considerations also factor into U.S. calculations.
Regional Powers Pursue Their Own Agendas
Central Asian nations have led the way in normalising relations with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.
Kazakhstan removed the Taliban from its list of banned terrorist groups at the end of 2023.
Uzbekistan sent its prime minister to Kabul last summer, while India, Türkiye, and Tajikistan have established limited ties with the regime.
China became the first country to welcome a Taliban diplomat as Afghanistan’s official ambassador last year. Japan also received a Taliban delegation for the first time last month.
These diplomatic overtures have put Afghanistan at the centre of a new great game. The Taliban now must play off competing interests while turning former enemies into partners.
Taliban Balances Between Global Powers
The Taliban government in Kabul faces no real internal or external opposition. This strong position allows its leadership to pursue independent relations with multiple global powers.
Despite improving ties with both Russia and America, the Taliban has not aligned exclusively with either side. Its foreign policy now combines pragmatism with careful balancing.
This tightrope act plays out against reports of internal Taliban divisions.
Media accounts suggest tensions between "pragmatic" Haqqani figures and hardliners around Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.
The removal of U.S. bounties may strengthen the position of Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, seen by some analysts as a more moderate alternative within the Taliban leadership.
Afghanistan Stands at Crossroads
Russia’s upcoming court hearing represents another milestone in Afghanistan’s diplomatic reintegration. The Supreme Court will almost certainly lift the ban on the Taliban in April.
However, this does not amount to formal recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. No country has yet officially recognised the Taliban government since it seized power in August 2021.
Some reports claim the Taliban has buckled under pressure following Trump’s demand that Afghanistan return American weapons. These claims cannot be independently verified.
The international community remains divided on how to handle the Taliban. Its imposition of strict Islamic law effectively banning women from public life continues to cause concern.
Recognition Without Reform Remains Unlikely
For all the diplomatic activity, full normalisation of relations requires more than releasing prisoners or lifting terrorist designations. The Taliban must address human rights issues to gain broader acceptance.
Russia’s moves correspond with its own isolation from Western powers following its actions in Ukraine. Moscow has pulled out all the stops to find new partners wherever possible.
Meanwhile, the Taliban hopes for “a new chapter” with Trump’s administration.
The former president signed the peace deal during his first term that paved the way for US withdrawal.
As major powers vie for influence, Afghanistan finds itself in a familiar position. Once again, the country serves as a chessboard for competing global interests.
Great Game Enters New Round
The race for Afghanistan has taken off like a shot. China, Russia, and America are all jockeying for position in this strategically located nation.
For Russia, lifting the Taliban ban makes perfect sense. The move will bring legal reality in line with existing practice while opening doors to further cooperation.
American engagement follows a similar logic. By dropping bounties on Taliban leaders and sending a delegation to Kabul, Washington has started down the path of pragmatic reengagement.
As each power makes its move, Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers can pick and choose their partners. This flexibility may allow them to maintain independence while extracting benefits from all sides.
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