Russia will scale back its attacks in the Kyiv and Chernihiv areas, a senior Defense Ministry official said Tuesday after a round of peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul.
The decision was taken as “negotiations on the preparation of an agreement on Ukraine’s neutrality and non-nuclear status, as well as on providing security guarantees to Ukraine, are entering the practical phase,” Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin said in a video by Russian State media shared.
The Ministry of Defense “has decided to drastically reduce military activities in the direction of Kyiv and Chernihiv,” Fomin said, in order to “enhance mutual trust and create the necessary conditions for future negotiations.”
Chernihiv is a city located about 150 km northeast of Kyiv.
More details will be announced after the delegation returns to Moscow, he added.
The leadership of the Russian armed forces said last week Moscow was entering a “new phase” of the war. They will focus on eastern Ukraine, the breakaway republics of Luhansk and Donetsk, and the port city of Mariupol, military staff said on Friday.
Turkey, meanwhile, confirmed talks in Istanbul will end on Tuesday but will continue online. The round in Turkey was initially scheduled for two days.
Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkey’s foreign minister, said that holding the meeting in Istanbul “shows both sides’ trust in Turkey.”
“We are happy to see that the teams are getting closer with each stage,” said Cavusoglu.
“A compromising and mutual perspective has been reached on some issues,” he added, with Tuesday’s negotiations showing the “most significant progress” to date.
“More difficult matters are dealt with at higher levels,” he added.
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