Russia hosts Afghan talks, calls for inclusive government

Russia had worked for years to establish contacts with the Taliban, even though it has designated the group a terrorist organisation in 2003 and never took it of the list.

Russia hosted on Afghanistan on Wednesday involving senior representatives of the Taliban and other factions, a round of diplomacy that underlines Moscow’s clout.

Opening the talks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasised that “forming a really inclusive government fully reflecting the interests of not only all ethnic groups but all political forces of the country” is necessary to achieve a stable peace in Afghanistan.

had worked for years to establish contacts with the Taliban, even though it has designated the group a terrorist organisation in 2003 and never took it of the list.