NEW : Senior U.S. officials : The United States has been in contact with the Russian government regarding a possible release of American citizens who are being held hostage by Islamic State militants and other extremist groups, according to senior administration officials. A Taliban spokesman says they will not meet with Afghanistan 's `` puppet '' government . Zabiullah Mujahid writes in an e-mail that the Taliban want direct talks with Americans . In an e-mail response to questions from CNN , Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid denied previous reports that the Taliban had been invited to meet with the Karzai government in Saudi Arabia , saying that talks with what he called a `` puppet '' government would be pointless . The rejection of a key American condition could derail negotiating efforts .
NEW : Senior U.S. officials : The United States has been in contact with the Russian government regarding a possible release of American citizens who are being held hostage by Islamic State militants and other extremist groups, according to senior administration officials. A Taliban spokesman says they will not meet with Afghanistan 's `` puppet '' government . Zabiullah Mujahid writes in an e-mail that the Taliban want direct talks with Americans . The rejection of a key American condition could derail negotiating efforts .