Russia has invite representatives of the Taliban group to international talks on Afghanistan it plans to hold in Moscow on October 20.
President Vladimir Putin’s special representative on Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, confirmed the media reports.
However, he refused to add further details on the conference.
Last March, Moscow hosted an international conference on Afghanistan with the presence of the United States, China and Pakistan.
Russia has earlier admitted that there is no alternative to the group in Afghanistan, and dismissed resistance efforts as doomed.
Zhirnov said the Taliban has made encouraging pledges.
He also praised the conduct of the Taliban in the days since its takeover of the capital.
Speaking to Reuters, Zhirnov said the security situation in the capital was much better than it was before the Taliban took control of it.
He also expressed optimism over the country’s future under the Taliban rule.
“The mood in Kabul is one of cautious hope”.
“There was a bad regime which disappeared and people are hopeful.”
“They say it can’t be worse so it should be better. But this is another test for the Taliban to pass. After they restore order, they should start improving the socioeconomic situation,” he said.
Zhirnov’s comments came in total contradiction with rights groups’ warning of Taliban’s violent approach.