this is cnn breaking news. >> good morning. welcome to "new day." it is sunday, august 15. i'm boris sanchez. >> i'm christi paul. breaking news out of afghanistan. we are witnessing history here. taliban fighters have reached the gates of the capital city of kabul. >> yeah, a statement issued by the taliban a short time ago is asking for calm, saying that its fighters are now on the outskirts of the city and they want to take control of kabul peacefully. the embattled afghan government is currently in talks with the taliban over the country's future and sources tell cnn that taliban representatives are right now at the presidential palace in the city's center. the acting minister of national defense is attempting to reassure kabul citizens saying in a speech that the security of the city is ensured and afghan defense forces are committed to defending kabul. >> the effort to get americans out of afghanistan is gaining