G7 Fails to Agree on Extending Afghanistan Withdrawal Deadline... US Sticks to Withdrawal Timeline

"Taleban Must Ensure Safe Passage Even After Withdrawal Deadline"
CIA-Taleban Backdoor Negotiations Fail... US Sticks to "August 31"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] At the emergency G7 summit held via video conference to discuss the Afghanistan situation, the member countries failed to agree on extending the withdrawal deadline for troops stationed in Afghanistan. The United States insisted on maintaining the original withdrawal deadline of August 31 and pledged to complete the evacuation of all civilians by that date, resulting in the collapse of any extension agreement.

According to foreign media including AFP on the 24th (local time), during the G7 video summit convened at the request of the UK, the chair country of the G7, the United States declared it would adhere to the existing withdrawal deadline of August 31, leading to a failure to reach an agreement on extending the withdrawal deadline, which was a major point of contention. The meeting was attended by the leaders of the G7 member countries including the United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, and Japan, along with Ant?nio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations; Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary-General of NATO; Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission; and Charles Michel, President of the European Council.

The G7 leaders stated in a joint communiqu? released that day, "Our immediate priority is to ensure the safe evacuation of Afghans who have cooperated with and assisted us over the past 20 years, as well as civilians, and to guarantee continued safe passage in Afghanistan." However, the statement did not specify concrete methods to guarantee safe passage.

They also emphasized, "The Taliban must guarantee safe passage beyond August 31," adding, "Given the significant economic, diplomatic, and political leverage held by the G7, we hope the Taliban will accept this proposal." They continued, "We will judge by actions, not words," stressing that "the Taliban must prevent terrorism and be responsible for the human rights of women, girls, and minorities," and pressured the Taliban by stating, "The future legitimacy of the Afghan government depends on the current approach taken to fulfill international obligations and commitments."

During the summit, President Joe Biden maintained his position to withdraw U.S. troops by August 31 as originally planned, despite proposals from allies such as the UK, France, and Germany to extend the withdrawal deadline. Earlier, CIA Director William Burns was dispatched to Kabul to conduct behind-the-scenes negotiations with the Taliban regarding an extension of the withdrawal deadline, but with no significant progress reported, it is understood that the extension was abandoned.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.