Russia has decided to “drastically reduce combat operations” around the capital Kyiv and the northern city of Chernihiv, its deputy defense minister said.
He is among officials in Istanbul for face-to-face talks with the Ukrainian delegation.
“Due to the fact that negotiations over an agreement on Ukraine’s neutrality and non-nuclear status and security guarantees (for Ukraine) are moving to a practical stage, and taking into consideration the principles discussed during today’s meeting, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation has taken the decision to drastically reduce combat operations in the Kyiv and Chernihiv areas in order to boost mutual trust and create the necessary conditions for further negotiations and for the signing of the aforementioned agreement,” Alexander Fomin stated.
The announcement follows Ukrainian proposals for security guarantees aimed at ending Russia’s invasion.
