Afghanistan Peace CampaignThe spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, stated that this step is a significant move in expanding relations between Russia and the Islamic Emirate.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, stated that this step is a significant move in expanding relations between Russia and the Islamic Emirate.
Mujahid added: “Russia’s recent actions and the removal of obstacles to contact and relations with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan are valuable and important steps that we appreciate.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement, calling the decision of the Russian parliament a significant advancement in relations between Russia and Afghanistan.
The statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reads: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate welcomes the approval of the draft by the Russian Federation’s parliament, which facilitates the removal of the Taliban’s name—previously referred to as the Islamic Emirate—from the blacklist. This move is a step toward developing bilateral relations between Afghanistan and Russia, lifting restrictions, and marking a notable progress.”
Earlier, Reuters reported that the Russian State Duma had passed a bill that would allow the name of the Islamic Emirate to be removed from the country’s blacklist. According to the report, the approved bill will be sent to the Federation Council or the upper house of Russia’s parliament after being reviewed by specialized committees.
This is Russia’s first practical step after the statements of senior officials regarding the removal of the Islamic Emirate’s name from its blacklist.
Fazel Rahman Oria, a political analyst, commented on the removal of the Islamic Emirate’s name from the blacklist, saying: “As soon as Russia removes the Islamic Emirate from the blacklist, which will happen soon, all of Russia’s allies, including the Central Asian countries, will follow suit. In the next step, Russia will inevitably recognize the government of Afghanistan.”
This development comes after the draft law for removing the name of the Islamic Emirate from Russia’s blacklist was submitted to the State Duma two days after the Russian National Security Council secretary’s visit to Kabul. Based on this draft, the name of the Islamic Emirate can be temporarily removed from Russia’s blacklist.