Russia pledges broader Afghanistan ties, says US should help rebuild

FILE PHOTO: Russian Security Council's Secretary Sergei Shoigu attends a meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin with commanders of troops of military districts, in Moscow, Russia May 15, 2024. Sputnik/Vyacheslav Prokofyev/Pool via REUTERS /File Photo

(Reuters) - Sergei Shoigu, the secretary of Russia's powerful Security Council, told Afghanistan's Taliban leaders on Monday that Moscow wanted to help achieve a durable peace in the country, Russian news agencies reported.

Shoigu, a former defence minister, also said the U.S. should play a leading role in rebuilding Afghanistan in view of its many years of military involvement in the country.