Russia to Remove Taliban from Terror List, Lavrov Urges Lifting of Sanctions

Oct 4, 2024, 09:51 AM

Russia's Foreign Ministry announced that a decision to remove the Taliban from its list of terrorist organizations has been taken at the highest level, with legal procedures to follow. The announcement coincides with the Moscow Format talks on Afghanistan, which began on October 4 and include a Taliban delegation led by Amir Khan Muttaqi. The talks, aimed at addressing ongoing challenges in Afghanistan, involve representatives from several countries, including India, Pakistan, and Iran. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized the importance of maintaining dialogue with the Taliban and called on Western nations to lift sanctions on Afghanistan and return its frozen assets. Zamir Kabulov, the president's representative for Afghanistan, confirmed the decision. The Moscow Format, created in 2017, unites ten countries interested in Afghan settlement.