The US would need to see significant improvement in government inclusivity and other aspects, Sullivan said, adding that the US was regularly discussing this with the other party.

"We are not yet in a position to be able to provide money directly through the current leadership in Afghanistan, the Taliban [banned in Russia] is not in a position we would want. Until we see a substantially improved approach to everything, from inclusive government to other elements that we are discussing with them regularly, our focus is going to continue to be on providing funding ... through international organizations and non-government organizations, "Sullivan said.

He stressed that Washington considers it the best way to "actually help the people of Afghanistan without creating a circumstance in which some of those funds could be used for purposes that are problematic to the national security interests of the United States."