US President Joe Biden said it is “tough’ to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan by 1 May, the deadline agreed upon by the US under the 2020 Doha deal. This is also the first time when Biden, after assuming the presidency, commented on troop withdrawal. 

The comment bears significance as the deadline is approaching fast amid renewed push to accelerate the peace process, foreign forces have less than one and a half months’ time. 

Speaking to ABC News, Biden said, “It is difficult to withdraw all troops by 1 May. It could happen, but it is tough.” Experts fear the immediate withdrawal of all troops, at this stage, may lead to chaos, and civil war in Afghanistan. 

The Afghan insurgent group, the Taliban, has already squeezed the government to cities and major population centers. The group also controls a large swath of highways. 

In his interview, Biden said, “The fact is that this was not a very solidly negotiated deal that the former president worked out. And so, we’re in consultation with our allies as well as the government, and that decision’s going to be — it’s in the process now.” 

He further added, even if you get an extension in the deadline, it won't be too long. Significantly, the statement came just a day before the Moscow peace initiative - led by Russia involving Afghan parties, Pakistan, the US, and Chin a- is set to begin on Thursday.