Russia urges US to return to talks with Taliban

MOSCOW

Russia on Friday called on the U.S. to return to talks with the Taliban movement in Afghanistan.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov held a meeting with U.S., Chinese and Pakistani envoys for Afghanistan in Moscow.

"The Russian side noted the need for an early resumption of negotiations between the United States and the Taliban, as well as the continuation of joint efforts of the countries involved to promote inter-Afghan dialogue," the statement said.

Morgulov also stressed the importance of achieving sustainable peace in Afghanistan through political and diplomatic means, it said.

On Sept. 9, U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly canceled a meeting in the U.S. with representatives of the Afghan government and Taliban.

Early September, U.S. President Donald Trump declared the peace talks with the Taliban "dead" following a recent attack in Afghanistan's capital Kabul which killed a dozen people, including a U.S. service member.

The raging Afghan conflict is in its 18th year, with thousands of lives lost and millions forced to flee their homes. The UN has repeatedly urged that opportunities for peace in the region be seized.

MOSCOW

Russia on Friday called on the U.S. to return to talks with the Taliban movement in Afghanistan.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov held a meeting with U.S., Chinese and Pakistani envoys for Afghanistan in Moscow.

Morgulov also stressed the importance of achieving sustainable peace in Afghanistan through political and diplomatic means, it said.

On Sept. 9, U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly canceled a meeting in the U.S. with representatives of the Afghan government and Taliban.

The raging Afghan conflict is in its 18th year, with thousands of lives lost and millions forced to flee their homes. The UN has repeatedly urged that opportunities for peace in the region be seized.