Khalilzad Meets Russian Authorities; Peace can only be Achieved via Political Settlement

The US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad met with Russian officials in Moscow on Friday.
Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad met with MFA Second Asian Department Director Zamir Kabulov and the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov to discuss supporting an inclusive peace process in Afghanistan.
“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,” the US embassy in Kabul said in a statement.
“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,” the statement added.
This is the first meeting of US envoy Khalilzad with Russian officials regarding peace process in Afghanistan.
Mr. Khalilzad will return to Kabul after meeting regional and International partners regarding peace efforts.