Russia says it has decided to "dramatically" decrease its military activities around the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, and the northern city of Chernihiv, raising hopes that progress is being made toward a cease-fire more than a month after Moscow launched its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
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Deputy Defense Minister Aleksandr Fomin told reporters in Moscow after talks between Russia and Ukraine were held in Istanbul on March 29 that Moscow expects Kyiv to take decisions in response to Russia’s announcement to ease operations.
"Because the talks on the preparations of an agreement on Ukraine's neutrality and nonnuclear status are entering into a practical phase, and taking into account the principles discussed during today's negotiations [in Istanbul], the Defense Ministry decided, with a goal of increasing mutual trust and to create conditions necessary to enter the next phases of talks to coordinate and sign an agreement, to dramatically decrease military activities in the direction of Kyiv and Chernihiv," Fomin said.
He added that more detailed information on the results of the talks held in Istanbul will be made public after the Russian delegation returns to Moscow.
Russia launched its attack on Ukraine on February 24 but its troops have yet to take a major city despite having an overwhelming advantage in firepower. Western intelligence sources have said several times that Russian troops have been plagued by logistical and other issues, causing them to struggle to make any advances in recent days.