MOSCOW: Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday it regrettedWashington’s refusal to take part in Afghanistan peace talks in Moscow onSept. 4.

Russia invited 12 countries, including the United States, to the talks,which are taking place as Moscow pushes for a more prominent role inAfghanistan.

The Taliban plans to take part in Afghanistan peace talks in Moscow onSeptember 4, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted as sayingby Interfax news agency on Tuesday.

Lavrov’s ministry said in a statement that Russia had invited 12 countries,including the United States, to international talks, which come as Moscowis taking a more prominent role on Afghanistan.

Moscow supported an Afghan government offer of a three-month ceasefire, andregretted that the Taliban rejected the offer on Monday, the ministry said.