ISTANBUL: Peace talks in Istanbul between Ukraine and Russia yielded progress on Tuesday as Moscow promised to scale back its military activity near the capital Kiev and the northern city of Chernihiv.
Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in the Turkish city for face-to-face negotiations, more than a month after Russia launched an air and ground attack that has devastated towns and cities across the country and caused nearly four million people to flee.
The representatives met at the Dolmabahce Presidential Office, on the banks of the Bosphorus, for their first in-person talks in more than two weeks.
But after more than four hours the head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, emerged and told reporters the discussions had been “constructive” and that Kiev’s peace proposals would be looked into.
President Vladimir Putin’s envoy also said Russia was ready to take military and political “steps to de-escalate the conflict.”
Ukraine’s “proposals will be examined in the near future, submitted to the president and we will respond accordingly,” Medinsky said.
Shortly before Medinsky spoke, Russian Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin announced a significant reduction in “military activities” near Kiev and Chernihiv.
Russian troops have struggled to advance upon the centre of two northern cities due to fierce Ukrainian resistance.