“As you know, we went into Afghanistan together, NATO Allies, partners and the United States, after 9/11. We have made decisions on adjusting our presence together. And we will also make the decision, when the time is right, to leave together”.He added the main issue was the Taliban has to reduce violence, negotiate in good faith, and break all ties and stop supporting international terrorist groups like al Qaeda.Responding to a question, he said NATO Allies welcome that message from the United States in this regard.
“We are calling on Taliban to reduce violence, to negotiate in good faith and to stop supporting international terrorists like al Qaeda. And then we will make the necessary decisions together. But I think the main focus now should be on reenergising the peace talks, because that’s the only way to a peaceful solution”.
On his first visit to the Pentagon since taking office, US President Joe Biden indicated he could abandon the approaching May 1 exit deadline to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan.According to Washington Times, officials in the Biden administration have said any deal with the Taliban should be based on conditions on the ground rather than a date set on a calendar.
Biden’s trip Wednesday came after the Pentagon said last month that the new administration would not commit to a full drawdown of troops from Afghanistan by May because the Taliban have not honored the commitments they made in their deal with the United States.
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