The US envoy leading the so-called “peace talks” with the Taliban terrorist group has confirmed “significant progress” in the negotiations amid claims by the group that the American side has agreed to a troop-withdrawal deal.

U.S. and Taliban officials have agreed in principle to the “framework” of a peace deal, U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad said after five days of talks between the militant group and the United States in Qatar.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Monday called on the Taliban movement to engage in direct negotiations with the country’s authorities, reaffirming the importance of national unity and a strong government.

A top Russian diplomat is in Pakistan to discuss efforts to promote direct peace talks between warring sides in neighboring Afghanistan.