MOSCOW. March 18 (Interfax) - Russia, the United States, China, and Pakistan have called on all parties to the conflict in Afghanistan to reduce the level of violence in the country and the Taliban (banned in Russia) not to launch a spring offensive, the members of the so-called extended Troika dealing with a settlement in Afghanistan said in a statement on Thursday.
"We call on all parties to the conflict in Afghanistan to reduce the level of violence in the country and on the Taliban not to pursue a Spring offensive, so as to avoid further casualties and to create an environment conducive to reaching a negotiated political settlement," the extended Troika (Russia, the United States, China, and Pakistan) said in a statement following a meeting in Moscow, which was also attended by a delegation from Kabul, the Taliban movement, and Qatari representatives as guests of honor.
The extended Troika urged "participants in the infra-Afghan negotiations to engage immediately in discussions on fundamental issues to resolve the conflict, including the foundations of the future peaceful and stable Afghan State, the content of a political roadmap leading to an inclusive government, and the modalities of a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire," the statement says.
"At this pivotal moment, our four states call on the parties to negotiate and conclude a peace agreement that will bring an end to over four decades of war in Afghanistan," it says.