European Union officials have called for a ceasefire in Afghanistan, as US Defense Secretary Mark Esper arrived in Kabul yesterday. US President Donald Trump last month declared talks with the insurgents "dead" after a Taliban attack killed a US soldier. Roland Kobia, the EU special envoy for Afghanistan, said the talks' collapse provide a chance to push for a ceasefire. He told journalists in Kabul that it is the right moment and the right opportunity to go one step beyond a simple reduction in violence and explore ways in which a ceasefire will take place.<br />''<br />''Mr Esper told reporters travelling with him that he believes the United States can reduce its force in Afghanistan to 8,600 without hurting the counterterrorism fight against al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. But he said any withdrawal would happen as part of a peace agreement with the Taliban. He said the aim is to still get a peace agreement at some point, that's the best way forward.<br />''<span style="color: #222222;"><br />''US has about 14,000 American troops in Afghanistan as part of the American-led coalition.</span><br />