"A decision was made to radically, by a large margin, reduce military activity in the Kyiv and Chernihiv directions," Russian Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin told reporters on Tuesday.
Digital Desk: On Tuesday, Russia vowed to reduce military activities surrounding Kyiv and another city, but the US warned that the threat was not ended, as Ukraine proposed adopting a neutral status as a show of progress in face-to-face discussions.
More than a month into the greatest attack on a European nation since World War II, which has killed or maimed thousands, prompted over 4 million to leave abroad, and battered Russia's economy with sanctions, talks took place in an Istanbul palace.
On most fronts, Russia's assault has been halted by tough opposition from Ukrainian forces, who have regained land while people remain trapped in besieged cities.
"A decision was made to radically, by a large margin, reduce military activity in the Kyiv and Chernihiv directions," Russian Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin told reporters on Tuesday.
He made no mention of other battlegrounds, such as Mariupol in the southeast, Sumy and Kharkiv in the east, and Kherson and Mykolaiv in the south.
The Pentagon reported on Tuesday that Russia has begun moving extremely limited numbers of troops away from areas near Kyiv, a move that is more of a repositioning than a retreat or withdrawal from the fight.
"It does not mean that the threat to Kyiv is over," spokesman John Kirby told a news briefing.
Ten US F-18 fighter jets and more than 200 personnel have been sent to Lithuania, a NATO member and Russian neighbour, while US troops in Poland are "liaising" with Ukrainian forces as they give over weaponry, he added.
Russia describes its offensive as a "special operation" to disarm and "denazify" Ukraine. According to the West, it launched an unprovoked invasion.
According to some observers, Russia's commitment to stop fighting largely encompassed areas where it was losing territory.
"Does 'we'll drastically reduce military operations around Kyiv' = 'we’re getting our ass kicked, transitioned to a hasty defense?'" tweeted Mark Hertling, a retired U.S. lieutenant general and former commander of U.S. forces in Europe.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said only a concrete result from the talks can be trusted.
"We can say the signals we are receiving from the talks are positive but they do not drown out the explosions of Russian shells," he said.
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