The administration of US President Donald Trump is cutting aid to Afghanistan and threatening to further abandon all forms of cooperation after rival Afghan leaders were unable to agree to form a new government.
“We are cutting aid by $ 1 billion this year and are ready to cut it by another $ 1 billion in 2021,” said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo following a visit to Afghanistan.
Pompeo’s statement said the United States “deeply regrets” that Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and former chief executive Abdullah Abdullah were unable to form a government “capable of tackling governance, peace and security, and ensuring the health and well-being of Afghan citizens “
According to him, both leaders and their behavior have disappointed the American leadership, “have damaged US-Afghan relations,” since the lack of agreement “threatens US national interests.”
During the visit, the US Secretary of State met with Ghani and Abdullah, both individually and jointly. In addition, according to American media, Pompeo arrived in Doha on Monday, where he was scheduled to meet with representatives of the Taliban (banned in the Russian Federation), including Mullah Baradar, the Taliban’s chief negotiator.
Following the visit, Pompeo emphasized that the United States will continue to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan in accordance with the agreement with the Taliban.