Biden Administration Meets With ‘Senior Taliban Representatives’

“On October 9 and 10, an interagency delegation traveled to Doha, Qatar to meet with senior Taliban representatives,” Price noted in a Sunday readout of the call. “The U.S. delegation focused on security and terrorism concerns and safe passage for U.S. citizens, other foreign nationals and our Afghan partners, as well as on human rights, including the meaningful participation of women and girls in all aspects of Afghan society.”

“The two sides also discussed the United States’ provision of robust humanitarian assistance, directly to the Afghan people. The discussions were candid and professional with the U.S. delegation reiterating that the Taliban will be judged on its actions, not only its words,” Price added.

While the U.S. only reported discussions about providing humanitarian assistance, the Taliban claimed the U.S. agreed to provide aid following the meeting and said the meeting “went well,” ABC News reported. The U.S. did not agree that providing the alleged assistance meant recognizing the Taliban formally, according to ABC News.

President Joe Biden has repeatedly defended his decision to withdraw all troops by Aug. 31, although Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants and American citizens were left behind. The Taliban said in its most recent statement that they will “facilitate principled movement of foreign nationals,” ABC News wrote.