Taliban fighters at Jalalabad's outskirts (Photo: AFP/VNA)

The upcoming negotiations, the fourth in a series aimed at ending the 17-year war in Afghanistan, are scheduled between the leaders of the Taliban and US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad to discuss the withdrawal of foreign forces and a possible ceasefire this year. The Taliban rejected Kabul’s offer for direct talks, despite growing international pressure in favor of the Western-backed Afghan government having a seat at the table.