What's happened
On December 17, 2024, Russia's State Duma passed a bill allowing the court to suspend the terrorist designation of organizations, including the Taliban. This move, aimed at stabilizing Afghanistan, still requires approval from the Federation Council and President Putin's signature to become law.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to AP News, the State Duma's bill allows for a court to suspend the terrorist designation of organizations, including the Taliban, which has been on Russia's list since 2003. The Moscow Times highlights that this legislation is part of a broader strategy to engage with the Taliban for regional stability, despite the group's controversial governance. The Independent notes that while the Taliban's delisting is anticipated, it does not imply formal recognition of their regime, a sentiment echoed by AP News, which emphasizes the ongoing complexities in international relations with the Taliban.
How we got here
The Taliban has been on Russia's terrorist list since 2003. Recent diplomatic efforts have seen Taliban representatives engage with Russian officials, prompting discussions about their designation amid a shifting international stance on the group.
More on these topics
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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The Taliban or Taleban, who refer to themselves as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, are a Sunni Islamic fundamentalist political movement and military organization in Afghanistan currently waging war within that country.
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Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central and South Asia.
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The Soviet Union, officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, was a federal socialist state in Northern Eurasia that existed from 1922 to 1991.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in