The U.S. and Taliban look set to sign an agreement at the end of this month that could be the first step in a comprehensive peace deal that will see the U.S. leave Afghanistan after 18 years mired in that conflict.

The deal is the result of 18 months of negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban in Doha. Starting midnight Friday in Afghanistan will be the seven day reduction in violence – a plan to stop offensive actions from all sides.

Once signed on February 29, the accord promises to work towards a permanent ceasefire, outlines a plan to reduce US and its allies presence in the country and a guarantee that no terrorist group "ever uses Afghan soil to threaten the United States or its allies."

Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani welcomed the announcement.

"Our security and defense forces will be ready during the week reduced violence and will continue their operations against ISIS, al-Qaeda, and other terrorist groups, except the Taliban. Our brave security and defense forces will only act if they need to defend themselves and the dignified people of Afghanistan."

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted out: After decades of conflict, we have come to an understanding with the Taliban on a significant reduction in violence across #Afghanistan. This is an important step on a long road to peace, and I call on all Afghans to seize this opportunity.

The U.S. says that once this deal is signed, Intra-Afghan talks will begin with the aim of cementing a permanent ceasefire and roadmap for a political settlement.

Earlier this week, Sirajuddin Haqqani, the deputy leader of the Taliban wrote a historic opinion piece for the New York Times laying out what the Taliban wants to see.

He said their dream remains to "build an Islamic system in which all Afghans have equal rights, where the rights of women that are granted by Islam – from the right to education to the right to work - are protected."

Both Russia and NATO welcomed the new deal.

While both the U.S. and the Taliban have expressed optimism, the fact is that peace in Afghanistan will be a challenge. It's not even clear who would represent the Afghani government in any talks. While the Afghan election commission has declared Ashraf Ghani the winner of the last election, the Taliban refuse to talk with him. And it's not clear where any such talks would take place, even as Germany and Norway have offered to host.

Over the course of 18 months, the U.S. will withdraw its 12,000 troops, although it refuses to confirm whether all troops will be taken out. However, the Taliban has made clear that in the event of peace, they expect to see no foreign troops in the country.