Biden says withdrawal from Afghanistan ‘would be hard, painful’ anytime

US President Joe Biden stated on Sunday that the withdrawal of the US and NATO troops from Afghanistan, after 17-year-presence, would be ‘hard and painful’ no matter when the decision would be made. 

By the statement Biden responded to sharp criticism of his administration’s handling of the US leaving the country. 

He stated that the US has taken actions and made a range of changes to evacuate peaceful citizens from the country. 

The Taliban captured Kabul on August 15, shortly after NATO and the US troops, including 870 Georgian soldiers, left the country. 

The withdrawal came following an agreement between the Taliban and former US President Donald Trump last year. 

24 Georgian citizens have been evacuated from Afghanistan since the Taliban seized control of Kabul. 

The last, 16 Georgian citizens, arrived in Tbilisi on the weekend. 

In total 32 Georgian soldiers have been killed and dozens have been injured in NATO-led ISAF and Resolute Support missions in Afghanistan.