The lower house of Russia's parliament has given initial approval to a bill that could see the Taliban removed from Moscow's list of designated terrorist organizations. This move marks a potential shift in Russia's approach towards Afghanistan's ruling group, which has been in power for three years.
The State Duma, Russia's lower house, passed the bill in the first of three required readings. The legislation, if fully approved by the upper house and signed into law by President Vladimir Putin, would allow for the temporary suspension of an organization's terrorist designation by a court. "This is a long-discussed bill that aims to facilitate engagement with the Taliban to help stabilize Afghanistan," said a Russian official familiar with the matter.
The Taliban were originally placed on Russia's terrorist list in 2003, making any contact with them punishable under Russian law. Despite this, Taliban delegations have participated in various forums hosted by Moscow, highlighting a complex relationship between the two entities. Russian officials have often emphasized the necessity of engaging with the Taliban to ensure regional stability.
Historically, Russia's involvement in Afghanistan dates back to the Soviet Union's decade-long war, which ended in 1989 with the withdrawal of Soviet troops. Since then, Moscow has re-emerged as a key diplomatic player in the region, hosting talks involving senior Taliban representatives and neighboring countries.
The international community remains divided on how to handle the Taliban, with Afghanistan's rulers actively pursuing bilateral ties with major regional powers. As the bill progresses through Russia's legislative process, it will be closely watched by global observers, particularly those concerned about the implications for international counterterrorism efforts.
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