US Special Representative for Afghanistan’s Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad on Friday discussed the Afghan settlement process with Russian officials.
The US envoy met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov and Presidential Envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov in Moscow.
According to a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry, the diplomats discussed the current situation in Afghanistan and prospects of building Russian-US interaction to promote direct talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
“During the meetings, the current situation in the IRA (Islamic Republic of Afghanistan) was discussed, as well as the prospects for establishing Russian-American cooperation in the framework of international efforts to facilitate the launch of a direct dialogue between the opposing Afghan parties,” the statement said.
The statement said that the Special Representative Khalilzad reiterated that a resolution to the conflict in Afghanistan can only be achieved through a negotiated political settlement and that Afghans must ultimately determine their own future rather than have one dictated by outside powers.
Citing Khalilzad US embassy in Moscow in a separate statement said: “Both the United States and Russia would benefit from a political settlement in Afghanistan, which would help to reduce terrorist and narcotics threats, bolster economic cooperation, and end the 40-year long war in the country.”
Zalmay Khalilzad is on his multination tour for Afghan peace. He met with Afghan government leaders in Kabul last week on Wednesday. He also visited Islamabad.
According to the US Department of State, Khalilzad’s trip includes Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. The trip will continue until December 20.
The trip is aimed at supporting and facilitating an inclusive peace process in Afghanistan while empowering the Afghan people to decide their nation’s fate, the US Department of State said last week.
