Expressing optimism over US-led peace talks in Afghanistan, President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) said "positive things" are happening in Kabul, which is mired in "19 years of endless war."
"Well, thank you very much. And I will say -- you mentioned Afghanistan. I think we have made a lot of great strides recently in Afghanistan. It's -- we call it the "endless war," Tolo news quoted Trump as saying.
"Nineteen years. The real number is 19 years. It's unfortunate. It's ridiculous. And it's been a very interesting period of time. But we've made a lot of strides. A lot of things are happening in Afghanistan that is very positive. So we'll see how that all comes out. And I appreciate your help," Tolo news further quoted Trump as saying.
US President Trump made these remarks during a meeting with US Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the White House.
Stoltenberg said that the Taliban cannot win on the battlefields and they should negotiate with the Afghan government.
"No, I think it's the right thing to do is to talk to Taliban because that's the only way to find a peaceful negotiated solution. At the same time, it's a very close link between our military presence in Afghanistan and what's going on at the negotiating table because the support the NATO allies, the United States and other NATO allies, provide to the Afghan security forces, the Afghan army -- that sends a clear message to Taliban that they will not win on the battlefield, so they have to sit down at the negotiating table and agree to a political solution," Stoltenberg said.