European governments that condemned Taliban restrictions on women and girls are negotiating with the group to accelerate Afghan deportations, giving Kabul leverage to seek diplomatic access and economic assistance.

Officials describe the talks as technical arrangements for removals. The Taliban see them as a route toward international acceptance, an assessment some European diplomats share.

At a June 23 meeting in Brussels, five Taliban representatives met more than 20 European officials.

The Europeans did not raise human rights abuses, according to three participants and three officials briefed on the discussions who spoke to The New York Times.