The Russian parliament approved a law on Tuesday that allows for the suspension of bans on organizations classified as terrorist by Moscow, paving the way for normalizing relations with the Taliban in Afghanistan and potentially with Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham in Syria.

No country currently recognizes the Taliban government, which took power in Afghanistan in 2021 following the withdrawal of U.S. forces.

Despite being listed as a terrorist organization since 2003, Moscow has established relations with the Taliban, having hosted its envoys on several occasions.

President Putin indicated in July that the Taliban has become a “partner in the fight against terrorism.”