Supervisor Elham AbolFateh
Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

US Not to Join Afghanistan Talks Held by Russia


Mon 18 Oct 2021 | 11:40 PM
Omnia Ahmed

The United States said it is not going to join talks on Afghanistan announced for this Tuesday by Russia.

"We look forward to engaging in that forum going forward, but we're not in a position to take part this week," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters on Monday.

The State Department blamed logistical issues but said it considered the Russian-led forum "constructive."

On Friday, Russian envoy Zamir Kabulov announced the four-nation talks in Moscow, pointing out that they would aim to "work out a common position on the changing situation in Afghanistan."

Kabulov has previously noted that the Taliban would be invited to negotiations involving China, India, Iran, and Pakistan.

He affirmed that Russia would deliver the promised aid, but the details were still being decided.

“This is being worked out,” he told journalists, saying “cargo” was being collected.

Russia, China, and Pakistan have been among the most active nations in engaging the Taliban since the Islamists took over Afghanistan in August during the US pullout after 20 years of war.