The US President Donald Trump plans to reduce the number of the US troops in Afghanistan in 2020, regardless of whether the United States succeeds in reaching an agreement with the radical Taliban movement (banned in Russia – ed.), said National Security Advisor to the President Robert O’Brien Interview with Axios.
“We are once again in a situation where we are negotiating with the Taliban. The Afghan forces are working better, and I think that in the near future we will be able to reduce our military presence in Afghanistan, regardless of whether this deal is reached”, – he said.
In response to a question about whether it is possible to conclude an agreement with the Taliban before the US presidential election, O’Brien said:
“I do not judge when the elections will take place, but I think that this year, perhaps, a deal will be made”.
“We are working on it. But it should be a good deal”, – the official added.
He quoted Trump saying that before signing an agreement with the Taliban, “the degree of violence must be reduced”, and after signing the agreement, it is necessary to immediately proceed to inter-Afghan negotiations.
“Ultimately, it is the Afghans who must bring peace to Afghanistan”, – O’Brien concluded.
The US officials, as well as the media, have repeatedly stated Trump’s intention to withdraw, in whole or in part, the country’s troops from Afghanistan. So, in December, NBC News reported on the desire of the head of the United States to withdraw from Afghanistan four thousand soldiers.