OREANDA-NEWS. The ShA are working to ensure that the Afghan authorities release 5,000 captured members of the Taliban (banned in the Russian Federation). This statement was made on Monday by United States Secretary of State Michael Pompeo in an interview with the American television channel.

The presenter asked the head of the US foreign affairs agency about Washington’s attitude to the words of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who had previously stated that the authorities had no obligation to release the captured members of the Taliban. According to the American television channel, the Afghan leader also said that he didn't conclude agreements with the American side on the release of the Taliban, stressing that the United States does not have the authority to take such steps.

On February 29, a peace agreement was signed between Doha and the Taliban in Doha. According to the agreements, inter-Afghan negotiations should begin on March 10. Participants will discuss the timing and modalities of a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire and the future political road map of Afghanistan.

As part of confidence-building measures, up to 5,000 Taliban supporters and up to 1 thousand people held by the Taliban should be released by the time the inter-Afghan negotiations are launched.