BISHKEK (Ruptly) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Kyrgyz counterpart Chingiz Aidarbekov are holding a joint press statement after meeting in Bishkek on Monday, February 4.

The main topic discussed at the meeting is expected to be the preparations for the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin in March.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the US are attempting to lead the talks between Afghan government and the Taliban in secrecy, speaking in a joint press conference with his Kyrgyzstan counterpart Chingiz Aidarbekov in Bishkek on Monday. The Russian diplomat said that negotiations between Kabul and the Taliban are “unavoidable”, adding that “some countries, including the United States, are trying to control this dialogue, to hold the talks secretly, behind the scenes […] As a result of this, the regional powers, who care about the future of Afghanistan, stay in the dark regarding our American partners’ plans.”

The Taliban confirmed on Sunday that they will send a delegation to Moscow for intra-Afghan talks due to begin on Tuesday. Lavrov also said that the possible opening of a second Russian military base in Kyrgyzstan was not on the agenda of the talks between the ministers.