Russia Wants Taliban To Be Included In Interim Afghan Administration

Russia has said ahead of peace talks in Moscow that the Taliban should be included in Afghan interim administration.

According to the reports, Russia will host a conference on March 18 to which Taliban representatives and other stakeholders have been invited.

Russia is hosting peace talks between Afghan groups at a time when the US withdrawal deadline is ending on May 1 and is mediating a dispute.

For peace, the United States plans to change the current government of Afghanistan and form an interim administration that will work until a new consensus constitution and elections are held.

On the other hand, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has rejected the plan to change the government.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a weekly briefing that “the decision to form an interim consensus government is up to the Afghans themselves during the reconciliation talks.”

“At the same time, we have indicated that including the Taliban in a unified government in Afghanistan’s peaceful political process would be a logical solution to the problems,” the spokeswoman said.

Russia said next week’s conference was aimed at co-operating in the Doha talks, which are still struggling to reach a conclusion.

According to international news agency Reuters, sources close to the Taliban said on condition of anonymity that a team of four or five members from the Taliban’s political office in Doha would attend the Moscow conference.

Earlier, Turkey said it would host Afghan peace talks in Istanbul in April.

Turkish Foreign Minister said that both the Taliban and the Afghan government delegation have asked us to host the meeting.

Referring to the peace talks in Doha, he said, “We will host this meeting in consultation with the brotherly country of Qatar.”

The withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan has further complicated the situation and increased tensions, while concerns are being expressed that a hasty withdrawal could lead to further chaos.

“Our goal is to move the talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government forward and to focus on the outcome,” he said.

“The goal of a ceasefire may be achieved, but it is an ongoing process,” he said.

“We are sending a message to the Taliban, telling them to stop the attacks and telling them that there can be no real dialogue during the attacks,” he said.