US not to attend Afghan peace conference in Russia

US wasn't consulted before receiving the invitation and does not know Russia's objectives for the gathering.

Washington, Mar 24: A State Department official has said that the United States will not attend a multinational peace conference on Afghanistan next month in Russia.

The reason could be because the US wasn't consulted before receiving the invitation and does not know Russia's objectives for the gathering.

The official wasn't authorized to speak publicly on the matter and demanded anonymity.

The official said on Thursday that Washington wants to work with Moscow on regional efforts to end the 16-year war and that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson would bring up the matter when he visits Russia in April.

Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, India and several Central Asian nations are among the invitees to the Moscow conference. Afghan and US officials say the Taliban aren't invited. The state department hasn't publicly announced its position on the planned conference.

PTI