According to the head of the military department, the United States can reduce the size of its contingent in Afghanistan to 8600 soldiers without prejudice to the implementation of counter-terrorist operations.
Esper stressed that if the withdrawal of the military does happen, it is only within the framework of a peace agreement with the Taliban, the Associated Press reports.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that negotiations with representatives of the Taliban are “dead.”
July 22, the American leader said that the United States could win the war in Afghanistan in a week, but this would lead to the death of 10 million people.
* "Taliban" - the organization was recognized as terrorist by the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of February 14, 2003.