Russia expects that obstacles related to the prisoner swap between the Afghan government and the Taliban militants will not hinder the start of intra-Afghan talks.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Thursday that an early launch of intra-Afghan negotiations is in the interest of both the people of Afghanistan and the country’s foreign partners.
“We welcome the release of all 1,000 prisoners, which are Afghan army and police, by the Taliban in accordance with the agreement reached between the United States and the Taliban on February 29, 2020,” Maria Zakharova said.
“We also look forward to the early implementation of President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani’s decision to release the remaining imprisoned militants, which was adopted following the Consultative Loya Jirga.”
This comes a day after, the Afghan government announced that it has suspended the controversial release process of 320 “hard-core” Taliban prisoners.
Sediq Sediqqi, the Presidential spokesman, told Ariana News that the government will not release the remaining Taliban prisoners unless the group frees 22 Afghan security force members they are holding captive.
Last Monday’s decree, signed by President Ashraf Ghani, was the result of a Loya Jirga, or grand council, which voted in favor of the insurgents’ release following two days of consultations.
The process has however raised concerns and Australia and France have also publicly called on the government to not release six prisoners who are guilty of having killed their nationals.
Meanwhile, Russia said it hoped that “these issues will not become new obstacles to the launch of peaceful dialogue and will be resolved in the near future.”
“We are confident that the early start of intra-Afghan talks should benefit the interests of both the people of Afghanistan and that country’s international partners,” Maria Zakharova added.
Moreover, US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad said Friday that there is no legitimate reason to delay the intra-Afghan talks.
He called on the Afghan government and the Taliban to immediately start intra-Afghan negotiations.
Some reliable sources from the Afghan government, however, told Ariana News that the process would be suspended until the United States has reached an agreement over six of the Taliban prisoners involved in insider attacks, the so-called green-on-blue attacks, with Australia and France.
A delegation of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has left for Urumqi, China, to hold talks with Pakistani officials, sources told Ariana News on Wednesday.
Pakistan and Afghanistan’s worst fighting in years erupted last month, claiming heavy human losses on both sides.
Islamabad accuses the Islamic Emirate of harbouring and supporting militants who carry out attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul denies it, saying the militancy is Pakistan’s domestic problem.
The US Department of Homeland Security announced Tuesday it is easing asylum restrictions for vetted migrants from low-risk countries, while maintaining bans on “high-risk” nations, including Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, and Somalia.
The move comes after last November’s attack near Washington’s Farragut Square, in which an Afghan asylee killed one National Guardsman and injured another, prompting stricter asylum screening under President Donald Trump.
A DHS spokesperson said thorough vetting remains unchanged for all applicants, with resources now focusing on higher-risk cases.
Participants at a jirga held on Tuesday in Peshawar urged the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan to halt ongoing Durand Line clashes and resolve their disputes through dialogue.
The “Pakistan-Afghanistan Peace Jirga,” organised by Aspire Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the National Reform Movement, brought together political and religious leaders, business representatives, and members of the media to address rising tensions between the two neighbours, Dawn newspaper reported.
Speakers stressed that both countries should prioritise diplomatic channels, noting their shared religious, cultural, and social bonds. They described bilateral ties as deep-rooted and warned that continued conflict would have serious consequences for people on both sides of the border.
The jirga called for an immediate ceasefire and strict enforcement to ease tensions. In a joint declaration, participants urged both countries to ensure their territories are not used against one another, in line with international principles, and to enforce this commitment with full state authority.
They emphasised that all disputes should be resolved through negotiation and diplomacy, arguing that war is not a solution and that lasting peace depends on mutual respect and understanding.
The gathering also called for sustained engagement through a permanent platform to improve communication, build trust, and better understand each other’s challenges. It warned policymakers against allowing narrow interests to undermine broader national priorities, public safety, and the long-standing historical and cultural ties between the two nations.
“Peace is the greatest need for both Pakistan and Afghanistan,” the declaration stated.
Participants said the jirga platform would be expanded to include wider political, religious, and social leadership at the national level, with efforts focused on promoting peace through active public diplomacy.
Earlier, organisers said the initiative aimed to provide a forum for collective discussion and to develop practical recommendations for reducing tensions and advancing peace between the two countries.
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