The dual crises of war and COVID-19 in Afghanistan (Photo: Reuters)

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called on Tuesday for an immediate ceasefire in Afghanistan and said that any move to set up an Islamic emirate would risk losing EU support. Britain said it will pledge 227 million USD in annual food aid to Afghanistan. 

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Tuesday for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire in Afghanistan to create a conducive environment for Doha peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani urged the international community to continue supporting Afghanistan, even as he acknowledged that donors are likely to cut aid under the strain of Covid-19.