Washington. August 13. INTERFAX-US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Defense Minister Lloyd Austin assured in a telephone conversation with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani that they continue to provide assistance to the Afghan government in the conditions of the offensive of the Taliban movement (banned in the Russian Federation), the US State Department said.
"Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke today with President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani to emphasize that the United States continues to invest in the security and stability of Afghanistan in the face of Taliban violence," the statement said.
U.S. officials also informed Ghani that "in light of the changing security situation, the United States is reducing its civilian presence in Kabul."
The sides exchanged views on the security situation in Afghanistan, " measures to curb violence and ongoing diplomatic efforts."
Blinken " confirmed that the United States remains committed to supporting a political settlement of the conflict," the State Department informed.
