As the Moscow Talks concluded, the United States, Pakistan, Russia, and China issued a joint statement calling for a ceasefire. This was with regards to the conflict in Afghanistan, where violence is continually on the rise.
The calls to peace are the result of attempts to reinvigorate the Afghan Peace Process. The peace process as a result of the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce American intervention across the globe. However, the new Biden administration has changed its approach to the Afghan peace process.
Furthermore, one of the main terms of the Afghan Peace Talks, involved a complete troops withdrawal by the 1st of May, 2021. The incoming Biden administration has recently decided that the deadline may change, resulting in an increase in violence in Afghanistan. Moreover, the Biden administration has cited their concern for a responsible withdrawal from Afghanistan, as opposed to a hasty one.
The Joint Statement
Furthermore, the joint statement issued reiterated the need for peace and the role that both parties can play in this process. The four countries supported the peace process in Afghanistan, by encouraging dialog between the government and the Taliban.
Additionally, the statement also said that both sides should no longer engage in seasonal offensives.
