The United States President Donald Trump has said the US and the Taliban have been engaged in talks because the Taliban wants to make a deal.

President Donald Trump was addressing the American troops at Bagram airbase on his first unannounced visit to Afghanistan.

The visit for Thanksgiving comes after a prisoner swap with the Taliban aimed at resuming peace negotiations.

President Trump said the US is substantially reducing troop numbers and we are meeting with Taliban because now they want to do a ceasefire.

The US President also met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

Speaking on the occasion, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said both sides underscored that if the Taliban are sincere in their commitment to reaching a peace deal, they must accept a ceasefire.