(VOVWORLD) - European Union officials called Sunday for a ceasefire in Afghanistan, saying the breakdown in US-Taliban talks presented an opportunity to push for a truce.
Roland Kobia, the EU special envoy for Afghanistan, said the talks’ collapse provided a chance to push for a ceasefire which would, in turn, prove a large enough change in Afghanistan for US President Donald Trump to consider resuming negotiations. Kobia said this is the right moment and the right opportunity to go one step beyond a simple reduction in violence and explore ways in which a ceasefire will take place. The Taliban have steadfastly ruled out an immediate ceasefire, but last year downed weapons for a three-day truce.
President Trump last month declared talks with the insurgents “dead”, citing a Taliban attack that killed an American soldier.