MOSCOW. Aug 20 (Interfax) - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's statement on Washington's willingness to support direct talks between Kabul and the Taliban (banned in Russia) does not interfere with Russia's efforts toward promoting a settlement in Afghanistan, Russian Foreign Ministry Second Asian Department Director and presidential representative for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov said.
"They aren't negating [Russia's efforts] in any way," Kabulov told Interfax on Monday.
"What matters is that both parties, especially the Taliban, should be prepared for direct negotiations," Kabulov said.
"The Moscow format was created initially for such negotiations to take place," Kabulov said.