Pompeo, Lavrov confer on Afghanistan

KABUL for killing American soldiers.

US Foreign Secretary Mike Pompeo called Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov weeks after a New York Times report that Russia was paying Taliban bounties to kill US military personnel in Afghanistan

The Trump administration has spurned the claims as a ‘hoax’, with the US president vehemently denying the assertion that he was briefed on the issue earlier in the year.

The State Department, while confirming the call, did not provide exact details of Pompeo’s discussions with Lavrov.

Last week, Pentagon leaders told Congress that the reports of Russian bounties were not corroborated by intelligence agencies. They promised a response, if necessary.

Pompeo is believed to have conferred with his Russian counterpart on the issue of election security. The United States is preparing for nationwide voting on November 3.

PAN Monitor/mud

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