America’s mission in Afghanistan has failed, says Russia

MOSCOW/KABUL: Russia on Friday said that the United States has failed in its mission in Afghanistan and blamed the withdrawal of foreign forces for the war-torn country’s rapidly deteriorating stability.

Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan have capitalised on the last stages of the withdrawal of foreign troops to launch offensives, capturing districts and border crossings, and encircling provincial capitals.

The White House had tried to paint the drawdown of foreign troops in “the most positive colours”, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday. “But everyone understands that the mission failed,” he told reporters at a conference in Uzbekistan attended by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

Lavrov earlier blamed the “hasty withdrawal” of US and Nato troops worsening security in Afghanistan and warned of instability spreading to neighbouring countries.

Russia hosted Taliban representatives in Moscow last week, where the insurgent group claimed to have control over about 85% of Afghanistan.

Afghan leaders leave for Doha to revive talks

A delegation of Afghan political leaders led by top peace official Abdullah Abdullah left for Qatar on Friday to attempt to breathe life into stalled talks with the Taliban as violence escalates around the country. Abdullah, head of the country’s High Council for National Reconciliation and former government chief executive, said that as conflict rose, peace needed to be sought at the negotiating table.