Moscow Afghanistan Talks End Without Joint Statement

Russia hosted the eighth Moscow Format meeting on Afghanistan on Monday, bringing Taliban officials together with representatives from regional countries for talks on political and economic relations, security and counternarcotics. The gathering ended without an agreed joint statement, while separate meetings between Taliban and Russian officials addressed security cooperation and possible economic projects. Participants included Russia, China, India, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Belarus and Egypt attended as guests, according to reports of the meeting. Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi led the delegation from Afghanistan. Russian envoy Zamir Kabulov said the Taliban objected to draft language that repeatedly placed Afghanistan in the context of terrorism. He said the wording had appeared in the previous year’s statement, but the Taliban argued that circumstances in its relations with other countries had changed. The supplied accounts do not include the draft text or a separate detailed explanation from the Taliban or Pakistan. No joint statement was issued.