Zakharova assessed the possibility of removing the Taliban from the status of terrorists

It is impossible to develop cooperation in practice without removing the status of terrorists from the Taliban Islamist movement in power in Afghanistan (the organization is under UN sanctions for terrorist activities). This was stated by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova during a briefing on November 27.

This is how she responded to a journalist's question about the possible removal of the Taliban from the terrorist list.

"Russia intends to develop practical cooperation with Kabul on issues of mutual interest, including the tasks of countering terrorism and drug trafficking emanating from Afghan territory. Obviously, it is impossible to do this without removing the status of a terrorist organization from the Taliban," the diplomat explained.

Earlier, on October 4, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called on the West to return Afghanistan's misappropriated assets and lift sanctions. He noted that the "cynical policy of the collective West" has led to an obvious deadlock in the situation around the Islamic Republic. The minister added that Washington and its allies, while declaring their support for the Afghan people, are actually hindering the reconstruction of the state.

Before that, on September 3, Mohammed Yonnas Hossain, a Taliban representative and an official of the Afghan Chamber of Commerce, who arrived at the IX Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok, told Izvestia that Afghanistan has big plans for cooperation with Russia. According to him, Afghanistan also has good opportunities for mining of minerals, iron, steel, with the value of production amounting to $3 trillion.

Back in early June, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that stability in Afghanistan is very important both for Russia and other countries in the region, so it is necessary to build relations with the Taliban government.