US President Donald Trump said that he had never discussed with Russian President Vladimir Putin the topic of the “reward” that Russia allegedly paid Taliban members for attacks on American soldiers.
“We did not discuss this”, – Trump replied to a journalist’s question if this issue became the subject of discussion during a conversation between leaders of states, which took place last week.
“I have never discussed this with him”, – the US President added.
Trump explained that other issues were discussed in the conversation, and called the topic of payment of “remuneration” fake news.
The Kremlin earlier reported that the presidents of the two countries, in a conversation on July 23, discussed the situation around the Iranian nuclear program and the need for collective efforts to maintain stability in the region, and also expressed their intention to develop trade and economic cooperation between Russia and the United States.
Earlier, the New York Times published an article alleging that a certain Russian military intelligence unit allegedly encouraged the Taliban to attack international coalition servicemen in Afghanistan for money.
In late February, at a ceremony in Qatar, the United States and the Taliban signed the first peace agreement in more than 18 years of war, which provides for the withdrawal of foreign troops from the Islamic republic in 14 months and the beginning of an inter-Afghan dialogue after a prisoner exchange.