Russia to host Afghanistan meet ‘to advance inter-Afghan talks’

Moscow says it has invited all stakeholders, including the US, China and Pakistan, for the talks on March 18.

Russia plans to hold a conference on Afghanistan in Moscow later this month, marking an attempt by Moscow to raise its profile in the Afghan peace efforts. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the talks scheduled for March 18 will bring together representatives of Russia, the United States, China and Pakistan, as well as an Afghan government delegation and representatives of the Taliban. Qatar, which is hosting intra-Afghan peace talks, has been invited to the Moscow meeting as an honoured guest.