“We are hearing positive signals at the negotiating table… but positive signals do not silence Russian bombings,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a recent video message last night.
Yesterday, amid renewed peace talks, Russia announced that it would reduce its military presence in and around Kyiv and Chernihiv in what appears to be the first concession since the start of the war just over a month ago.
But on the same day that Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin said his country would “fundamentally scale down” its operations to “build confidence,” a Russian missile blew a gaping hole in the government building in Nikolaev, killing eight people and destroying the city. . from Mariupol they bombed even more.
In a presidential address yesterday, Zelenskiy described the change in tactics as nothing more than a forced retreat in the face of strong Ukrainian resistance, rather than an attempt to move closer to a ceasefire.
“It is reported that the Russian military command has made a decision to ‘reduce hostilities against Kyiv and Chernigov’ — as if Russian planes have simply decided to fly less and drive less military equipment,” the president quipped.
“Our integrated defense is coming to an end. Successful defense … It is the bold and effective actions [of our defenders] that force the enemy to retreat.”
American and British intelligence last night recorded the movements of the Kremlin battalion tactical groups around the capital, but largely attributed this to the defensive efforts of the Ukrainian forces.
Security officials believe the move is an acknowledgment that Russia failed to encircle and capture Kyiv within days, as planned at the start of the invasion.
“We are hearing positive signals from the negotiating table … but positive signals do not silence the explosions of Russian bombs,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi said last night in his latest video address.
Russia announced yesterday amid renewed peace talks that it would reduce its military presence in and around Kiev (pictured) and Chernihiv, apparently the first concession since the war began just over a month ago.
But on the same day that Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin said his country would “fundamentally scale back” its operations to “boost confidence,” a Russian missile killed eight people in Mykolaiv while the decimated city of Mariupol suffered further bombardment (a three-year-old boy wounded in the shelling of Mariupol (pictured today)
This satellite image distributed by Maxar Technologies shows destroyed apartment buildings and houses east of Mariupol, Ukraine on March 29, 2022
U.S. and British intelligence agencies last night identified movements in tactical groups of the Kremlin battalion around the capital, but attributed this largely to the defense efforts of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Firefighters are scrambling to extinguish a huge fire on a fuel base located near the western Ukrainian settlement of Klevan in the Rivne region, supplying Kiev with fuel for the Ukrainian army, which was hit by Russia with high-precision airborne cruise missiles on March 28, 2022
A Russian missile blew a gaping hole in a government building in Mykolaiv yesterday, killing eight and injuring over 30
Zelensky also said last night that Ukraine was ready to negotiate a ceasefire, but said there would be no compromise on Ukraine’s “sovereignty and territory.”
“There must be real security for us, for our state, for our sovereignty, for our people,” he said.
“Russian troops must leave the occupied territories – the territorial integrity of Ukraine must be guaranteed. There can be no compromise on sovereignty. And there won’t be any.
“Ukrainians have already learned during these 34 days of invasion and eight years of war in Donbass that you can only rely on a concrete result.”
Zelenskyi’s speech went on to discuss the launch of a new government program aimed at providing compensation to individuals and families whose property or land was damaged during the war.
Details of the plan will be released in the coming days, the president said, before stressing to viewers that the state will compensate “every meter of property lost.”
Zelensky also discussed a speech he gave earlier that day to the Danish parliament, saying Denmark was interested in helping Ukraine with post-war reconstruction projects.
Meanwhile, Western leaders have been warned against dropping their vigilance after Russia announced its planned reduction in military operations near Kiev and Chernihiv, with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson saying Putin could still try to “turn the knife” and do more damage.
Western officials remain extremely suspicious of Russia’s true intentions, arguing that Russian attacks continued despite the Kremlin’s promise to reduce troops in major urban centers (pictured as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu).
A Western security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “Nothing we have seen so far has shown us that President Putin and his colleagues are particularly serious [scaling back]. It’s more of a tactical exercise to play for time.
“Even if they do what they say, in no form or form is an attitude of hostility … I think we can continue to see death and destruction [in the Donbass].’
And although yesterday’s peace talks in Istanbul were positive, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had seen nothing to suggest that negotiations were progressing in a “constructive way,” speculation about Russia’s withdrawal was likely an attempt to “deceive and distract people.” Attention’.
“There is what Russia says, and there is what Russia is doing, and we are focusing on the latter,” Blinken said yesterday.
“And what Russia is doing is the continued brutalization of Ukraine.”
At first glance, this is progress towards peace. But words are cheap… it is the actions on the ground that count, writes Dr. NEIL MELVIN
By Dr. Neil Melvin
At first glance, one is certainly tempted to cheer the news that Russia has announced that it will “drastically reduce” its fighting around the Ukrainian capital Kiev and the northern city of Chernihiv.
At any rate, this is the view of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who hosted personal talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul.
Erdogan hailed Russia’s announcement after these talks – along with Ukraine’s proposals to become a “neutral state” – as “the most significant step forward” toward peace since Vladimir Putin launched his horrific invasion five weeks ago.
I have no doubt that the unfortunate residents of both the besieged capital of Ukraine and Chernihiv – where tens of thousands are trapped without running water and electricity – will welcome this development.
Turkish President Recep Erdogan speaks at peace talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul. He hailed Russia’s announcement to “reduce” hostilities around Kiev and Chernihiv as “the most significant progress to date.”
Unfortunately, however, I also strongly warn against placing too high hopes on these announcements.
After all, words are cheap: and it depends on the deeds on the ground.
Russia’s apparent decline must be seen in the context of Putin’s long-cherished broader ambitions for Ukraine.
He wants to weaken his democratic neighbor, prevent him from joining NATO and ensure that he can never escape from Russia’s “sphere of influence”.
The first step in realizing these ambitions was its annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the occupation of parts of the Donbass region by Russian separatist groups.
Emergency services are working at the site of the regional government headquarters in Mykolaiv, Ukraine. Dr Neil Melvin warned “to be careful not to put too much hope in peace declarations”.
These strategies only led to Ukraine being driven further west.
The second step has unfolded in recent weeks before the horrified eyes of the world: a large-scale invasion originally aimed at conquering Kiev and overthrowing President Zelenskyi under the absurd guise of “denazification” of Ukraine.
As we know, the Russian despot failed with this planned lightning strike.
Around 10,000 Russian soldiers are now dead, several initial achievements have been lost, the Russian economy has been paralyzed by sanctions and its international reputation destroyed.
Putin knows that he has gone too far – and must now see that the victory he envisioned is beyond his reach.
This is the crucial background to yesterday’s claims about progress in negotiations between the belligerent countries.
Despite peace offers, Vladimir Putin still wants to win in Ukraine, writes Dr. Melvin
Putin knows that if he wants to stay in power, he has not failed.
Therefore, he may be using the veil of diplomacy to achieve his goals: to gain time so that his armed forces can regroup and supply themselves as he plans his next step.
This is not to say that these latest developments are hoaxes or mere propaganda.
I have no doubt that Erdogan is sincere when he talks about his hopes that they could be a prelude to peace.
But whatever common ground has been found on the shores of the Bosphorus, this is definitely not a peace agreement – not even a ceasefire.
Russia is withdrawing from two cities, but the bloodshed continues in the center and south of Ukraine. Putin still wants to win – even believes that he has to win.
Yes, there is a glimmer of hope. But this war still has a long way to go.
Dr Neil Melvin is Director of International Security Studies at the Royal United Services Institute