In an interview with Izvestia newspaper, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk stated that suspending the Taliban’s designation as a terrorist organisation by Russia could pave the way for economic engagement with Afghanistan.
“Afghanistan faces many challenges, but it also has potential—and they are awaiting our presence,” Overchuk told the Russian daily.
He noted that the Taliban views Russia positively and is keen to expand economic ties. According to Overchuk, Moscow has already established contact with the group, which has expressed a clear willingness to develop economic relations with Russia.
His remarks follow a recent move by Russia’s Prosecutor General, who submitted a request to the country's Supreme Court seeking to suspend the Taliban’s classification as a terrorist organisation. The Supreme Court is scheduled to review the request on 17 April, according to the state news agency RIA Novosti.
Overchuk emphasised that, should the court approve the suspension, new avenues for economic cooperation with Afghanistan could emerge. He also suggested that this shift could support broader efforts to enhance Russia's logistical infrastructure in the region.
On 28 December 2024, President Vladimir Putin signed amendments to Russian legislation allowing for the temporary suspension of designated terrorist organisations’ activities. This legal framework enables judicial authorities to conditionally and temporarily remove groups such as the Taliban from the official list of banned organisations.
Russia’s Supreme Court originally classified the Taliban as a terrorist entity on 14 February 2003, prohibiting its activities within the country.
In January 2025, Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s special envoy for Afghanistan, announced plans to form a joint Russia-Taliban working group in the spring of 2025. Although the Taliban has not been formally recognised by Moscow, the working group is expected to serve as a substitute for the previous intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation.
