𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐧𝐬 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐞-𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬

𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐧𝐬 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐞-𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬

The U.S. National Security Council has lashed out at Russia’s intent to remove the Taliban from its list of banned terrorist organizations, warning that such a decision would send a “horrible message” to the global community.

John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesman, addressed reporters at the White House on Tuesday, expressing deep disapproval of Russia’s proposed move.

Kirby highlighted the Taliban’s continuous failure to fulfill its commitments to the international community, particularly in the areas of human rights and governance.

“The way they [the Taliban] are treating their women and girls, the way they are managing their own economy, the way they are taking care of their own people, all of it falls short,” Kirby remarked.

He underscored that the U.S. is in “no position” to recognize the Taliban as Afghanistan’s legitimate government.

“For Russia to do so, we believe it would send a bad message to others,” he warned, calling the decision “an ill-advised course of action.”

Russia’s announcement has been met with vehement criticism from human rights advocates, who argue that removing the Taliban from the terrorist list would unjustly empower the group.

They contend that this move undermines international efforts to hold the Taliban accountable for its actions.

The Taliban, which took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, has been heavily criticized globally for its dismal human rights record and sheltering of global terrorist organizations.

The group’s treatment of women and girls, alongside its suppression of civil liberties, remains a significant point of international contention.