At the 18th Valday Think Tank Forum held in Sochi, Russia, between 18-21 October 2021, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia’s policy regarding Afghanistan would be to remove the Taliban from the list of terrorist organizations. At the same time, Putin passed his remarks that this decision should be made and implemented together with the United Nations (UN) and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Taliban, on the other hand, expressed that they were pleased about Russia’s approach to themselves.
In this sense, Ankara Center for Crisis and Policy Studies (ANKASAM) presents to your attention the opinions received from leading experts and academics in the field in order to evaluate the Russian leader’s statements about the Taliban and possible steps to be taken in international politics.
Dr. Sabir ASKEROGLU (ANKASAM International Relations Specialist)
Dr. Sabir Akeroglu stating that Putin’s statement about removing Taliban from the list of terrorist organizations was based on the willingness of maintenance the dialogue with Taliban asserted that Russia’s aim was to make negotiation.
Askeroglu, “Just as Putin or Russia does not desire Taliban to be seen as a terrorist organization in the world politics, they also do not want the Taliban to behave like a terrorist organization. This, at the same time, will contribute Taliban’s regional reconciliation of the Taliban and thus to Russia’s inclusion in its allies in the region.” said.
Indicating that time will show whether Taliban would be recognized or not, Askeroglu evaluated by saying that with this stance, Moscow has called for Taliban to become softer, more reasonable and more quickly adopted to the international community. However, the aforementioned statement is not a condition that interests only Taliban but also the other countries.
Finally, Askeroğlu concluded his expressions by saying that therefore, Russia is not expecting Taliban to remove the list of terrorist organizations only on its own but the other countries to do the same. Putin tries to prevent Taliban from considering Russia as an enemy state with his statements.
Prof. Ali ASKER (Karabuk University, Department of International Relations, Lecturer)
First of all, mentioning the process when the Taliban came to power Prof. Ali Asker said, “although Russia seems to follow a different policy, it is not bothered by the Taliban’s coming to power. This is because Russia has been in touch with Taliban since 2016. For this reason, it tries to act pragmatically like the all great states.”
Besides, talking about Putin’s speech at the Valday Meeting, Asker commented, “Putting forward the conditions for the recognition of the Taliban, Putin emphasized that he wanted this organization to establish a dialogue with all economic and religious groups, civil and political organizations in the country and that he favored the establishment of an inclusive government. Russia’s strategic interests in Afghanistan necessitate its relations with this structure that dominates the country’s administration. Obviously, the Taliban also need to establish relations with Russia.”
While concluding his words, Asker made a statement emphasizing the Taliban are trying to impose their legitimacy on the world in some way by saying, “Russia does not want to leave the initiative in Afghanistan to other states. The process is also in line with the commitments of the Taliban in the Doha Agreement.”
Umut ARIK (Retired Ambassador)
Emphasizing that a new reality has emerged in Afghanistan with the Taliban administration, Retired Ambassador Umut Arık said, “The most important element of the new equation in Afghanistan is the Taliban. For states, the main thing is their interests. In this context, it can be said that Russia is seeking a diplomatic solution. Putin’s statements stemmed from this.” , tating that the country in question attracted the attention of Russia due to its influence on the Central Asian geopolitics.
Clarifying that many states think like Russia and that similar moves may come from other actors in parallel with the steps to be taken by Moscow, Arık commented, “The Taliban are asked to make some sacrifices. If these things happen, the number of states meeting with the Taliban will increase. Further recognition steps can be taken. In this process, positive statements about the Taliban may come from European Union (EU) member countries.”
Referring to the Turkish dimension of the issue, Arık ended his views by saying, “I believe that Ankara should act within the framework of the same approach. Of course, the priority is to ensure that the Afghan people live in the best possible conditions and to make Afghanistan a country that contributes to international peace. For this, it is necessary to develop a constructive relationship with the Taliban. This is because the most important principle of international relations is the acceptance of the reality in the field. In the current situation, the Taliban is also a reality of Afghanistan. It is the dominant power in the country in question.”
Prof. Sertif DEMİR
Stating that Russia’s desire to remove the Taliban from the list of terrorist organizations can be explained by several reasons, Prof. Dr. Sertif Demir, “Russia wants to develop warm relations with Afghanistan under the Taliban in order to prevent the US from being active in the region again.” said.
Pointing out that Russia has kept its Embassy in Kabul open in order to achieve this, Demir commented, “The Taliban’s expectation is to provide international legitimacy with decisions to recognize it and to provide economic aid. One of the most important facts that will ensure international legitimacy is the removal of the Taliban from the list of terrorist organizations. That’s why Russia wants to remove the Taliban from the terrorist list. Such a policy will also moderate the Taliban and open an effective fight against the so-called Khorasan Emirate of the terrorist organization, Daesh/ISIS. The Moscow administration believes that it can put Washington under pressure with the steps it will take in this regard. Undoubtedly, one of the factors affecting the Kremlin’s policy is the risk that the Muslim population in Russia will be affected by radical terrorist organizations. For this reason, Moscow attaches importance to the fight against DAESH. In addition, Russia thinks that by removing the Taliban from the terrorist list, it can balance the influence of China and Pakistan on Afghanistan.”
Stating that Russia is also working to ensure the freedom of Afghan financial assets in the USA and Europe by putting pressure on the West, Demir said, “These assets are not owned by the Taliban; they are the national assets of Afghanistan. Therefore, it is the Afghan people who are punished.”
Finally, drawing attention to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, Demir concluded his views by saying, “Russia thinks that it will not be possible to ensure stability in Afghanistan, which has faced hunger, and that this may cause new waves of migration and an increase in the effectiveness of radical terrorist groups. The only way to overcome this is to draw the Taliban into an environment of international cooperation.”
Halil SİLAHŞÖR (Anadolu Agency Reporter)
In his views, Journalist Halil Silahşör started by stating that Russia has described the Taliban as a terrorist organization since 2003; however, it has hosted twice since February 2019 with the Taliban and other opposition forces and added, “Russia, which is one of the countries in the region that follows the current developments in Afghanistan with sensitivity, agreed with the countries of the region that the most important condition is fulfilling the promises of the Taliban in the last meeting it hosted.”
Drawing attention to Putin’s statements in this context, Silahşör commented, “The statement in question shows that Russia is ready to support the Taliban. Moscow’s removal of the Taliban from the list of terrorist organizations will ensure the safety of Russian citizens living in Afghanistan. It will also facilitate the activities of the Russian Embassy in Kabul. It appears that Russia sees the Taliban as an effective tool against other extremist elements in Afghanistan.”
In this sense, underlining the concerns of the Moscow administration with the theme of radicalization, Silahşör said, “The aim of Russia’s attempt to establish a strong government in Afghanistan is to work together with this government to prevent the movements and effects of extremist groups in Central Asia. As a result, the Russians think they can follow in the footsteps of the Americans by supporting the Taliban.”
Lastly, Silahşör said that it was not a coincidence that the meetings in favor of the Taliban were held and concluded with his words by saying, “On the one hand, they praise the Taliban for the security of Afghanistan, on the other hand, they hold military exercises on the Tajikistan border.”
