Russian envoy: Taliban has evolved but must "earn recognition"

Zamir Kabulov, the Russian president's special envoy for Afghanistan and director of the Foreign Ministry's second Asian department has said that Moscow no longer considers the Taliban "terrorists in essence."

"I would say that at one time we partly overreacted. The Taliban evolved by declaring themselves a national movement. The Taliban announced that they are not going to engage in global jihad, transfer their ideology and way of thinking to neighboring states," Kabulov explained this position, RTVI reports.

At the same time, the diplomat noted that Russia had claims against the Taliban because of the recognition of the Ichkerian government and the establishment of training camps for terrorists.

Kabulov said Russia could recognize the Taliban, but to do so they must "earn recognition."

"Prove in practice that they are ready to respond to the call to create an ethno-political inclusive government. If they take this step, it will open the way for possible recognition of the Taliban regime by Russia," the diplomat explained.