A US delegation’s visit to Kabul resulted in the release of US citizen George Gulzman after two years of Taliban imprisonment. While the Taliban’s foreign ministry described the release as a “humanitarian act,” Zalmay Khalilzad, former US Special Representative for Afghanistan and a member of the US delegation, characterized the action on social media platform X as a sign of the group’s “goodwill” towards Donald Trump and the American people.

“Today is a good day,” Khalilzad wrote on X. “We managed to win the freedom of an American citizen. George Gulzman is now on his way home to his family.”

This marks the first visit of a US delegation to Afghanistan under Taliban rule since the US withdrawal in August 2021, although the Taliban have held previous meetings with US officials in Qatar and Norway.

The Taliban’s foreign ministry released photographs of the US delegation’s meeting with Amir Khan Mottaki.

Taliban Foreign Ministry spokesman Hafiz Zia Ahmad stated that US Special Representative for Hostages Adam Bowler “praised the Taliban’s efforts to fight drugs and ensure security.”

According to the statement, Bowler called the meeting an important step in building trust between the two sides. The statement also detailed that the two sides had comprehensive discussions on Afghan-US relations, the release of prisoners, and consular services for Afghans in the United States. Amir Khan Mottaki expressed hope that the US would establish positive political and economic relations with the Taliban government.

The Taliban’s foreign ministry also extended thanks to the UAE and Qatar for their roles in “facilitating progress” and “resolving the issue” between the group and the United States.