Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – In a significant diplomatic development, Russia has officially accepted the Taliban’s nomination of an ambassador to Moscow, marking a notable step in the evolving relationship between the two nations. This move follows Russia’s decision in April to remove the Taliban from its list of banned terrorist organizations, a designation that had been in place since 2003.
While no country has formally recognized the Taliban government since it seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021, Russia’s acceptance of the ambassadorial nomination signals a deepening of bilateral relations. Taliban officials have expressed hope that this new phase will allow both countries to expand cooperation in various fields.
Russia’s engagement with the Taliban has been growing, with Moscow viewing the group as a potential ally in combating regional security threats, particularly from Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K), which has been responsible for several attacks in the region . The two nations have also discussed enhancing economic ties, including collaboration on energy and infrastructure projects.
This development positions Russia among a few countries, including China and Pakistan, that have moved to establish formal diplomatic relations with the Taliban, despite widespread international reluctance due to concerns over human rights and governance issues in Afghanistan.
