U.S. President Donald Trump says Washington does not want to negotiate with the Taliban, comments that follow a series of deadly attacks in Afghanistan.
"We don't want to talk with the Taliban," Trump said at a January 29 luncheon with representatives of the UN Security Council. "There may be a time, but it's going to be a long time."
Kabul in recent weeks has been hit by several deadly assaults, including a massive suicide car bombing in a crowded central area on January 27 that killed more than 100 people and was claimed by the Taliban.
Following that attack, Trump called for "decisive action" by all countries against the Taliban, saying in a statement that the "murderous attack renews our resolve and that of our Afghan partners."
Speaking at the White House on January 29, Trump said, "We're going to finish what we have to finish" in Afghanistan.
He added that "innocent people are being killed left and right," including children, and that "there's no talking to the Taliban."
Several Americans were killed and injured earlier this month in the 13-hour siege of a Kabul hotel by the Taliban.
Based on reporting by Reuters, AFP, AP, and RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan