Russia to Remove Taliban from Blacklist as Shoigu Visits Kabul

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Kabul: Top Russian security official Sergei Shoigu assured Afghan officials on Monday that Moscow will soon remove the Taliban from its list of banned organizations, marking a significant step in the strengthening of bilateral ties. Shoigu’s visit coincided with diplomatic efforts by China and Iran, whose special envoys are also in Kabul, signifying a rare political gathering of representatives from three US rivals.

During his meeting with Afghan Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar, Shoigu expressed Russia’s interest in increasing political and economic cooperation with Afghanistan. He emphasized potential collaborations in trade, transit, investment, and infrastructure, including the Afghan-Trans project aimed at enhancing regional connectivity. The discussions also touched on the Taliban’s commitment to combatting narcotics cultivation and improving security within Afghanistan and the region. Shoigu's visit also included talks with Taliban leaders about restoring Afghanistan’s observer status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), with Russia signaling strong support for the Taliban's role in regional stability. The developments come as Russia, China, and Iran seek to engage with Afghanistan in a coordinated effort to address shared security concerns and limit US influence in the region.