RUSSIA will “radically” reduce its military activity in northern Ukraine, including near the capital Kyiv, after “meaningful” talks in Istanbul, said Moscow negotiators today.

“As talks on the preparation of an agreement on the neutrality and non-nuclear status of Ukraine have moved into a practical field… a decision has been made to radically… reduce the military activity in the areas of Chernigiv and Kyiv,” said Russian Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin.

Chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said there has been a “meaningful discussion” at the talks, and that Ukrainian proposals will be put to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He said Putin may meet Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“After today’s meaningful discussion, we have agreed on and proposed a solution according to which the meeting of the heads of state is possible simultaneously with the foreign ministers initialling the treaty.

“On the condition of quick work on the agreement and finding the required compromise, the possibility to make peace will become much closer.” – AFP, March 29, 2022.