MNI BRIEF: US-EU In G7 Split On Aug 31 Afghanistan Exit Date

Several EU voices had "expressed concern" over the August 31 deadline for evacuations from Afghanistan, European Council President Charles Michel said Tuesday following a G7 video summit on Afghanistan. Michel said that those expressing concerns had included Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and himself, despite the fact that US President Biden has insisted he will abide by the deadline agreed with the Taliban government.

The EU president said that "safe passageways" needed to be secured so that Afghan refugees could leave the country after the deadline agreed with the Taliban government. Von der Leyen underlined that the EU had some influence on the new Afghan government, given the country's need for development aid and officials 'shouldn't underestimate' that.

The UK, currently the second largest NATO military group helping oversee the evacuation effort, has also been seeking an extension in the timetable by Washington.