The German government will give the green light to extend Germany's military mission in Afghanistan until January 31, 2022, said German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer.

The current parliamentary mandate for a German operation with up to 1,300 troops expires at the end of March. The new US government is considering a 2020 deal with the Taliban, which calls for the withdrawal of foreign troops by May 1.

Kramp-Karrenbauer warned that an early NATO withdrawal could jeopardize peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.