MOSCOW – Russia has responded over the reports of US troops withdrawal fromAfghanistan.

The spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday theplanned withdrawal of half of American troops from Afghanistan was “a stepin the right direction”.

At a weekly briefing, spokeswoman Maria Zakharova added Russia was waitingto see how the withdrawal would be realised in practice.

“Earlier we heard that the Americans didn’t fulfil their promises in thatarea,” she added.

“We have paid attention also to the announcement by the American governmenton the coming withdrawal of half of the contingent of US forces fromAfghanistan. We consider this a step in the right direction with theability to begin the peace process, so let’s just see how it will berealized in practice because earlier we heard that the Americans didn’tfulfil their promises in that area,” she said.

Reports by US media indicate that Trump administration has ordered the USmilitary to start withdrawing up to 7,000 troops from Afghanistan in thecoming months.