New York [US], March 30 (ANI): Ukrainian Ambassador to the UN Sergiy Kyslytsya on Tuesday (local time) said the new round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul are showing that Moscow may be ready to move forward. He made these remarks at the UNSC meeting on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine. “Today’s negotiations in Istanbul have demonstrated that Russia may be ready to make steps forward, although it is still a long way to a sustainable ceasefire and comprehensive de-escalation,” Kyslytsya said.

He said that the signing of the Treaty on the Security Guarantees for Ukraine will only be possible after the withdrawal of all Russian armed units to locations as on February 23, 2022. “Since the beginning of invasion Russia have lost more than 17000 military personnel, more than 1700 armoured vehicles, almost 600 tanks, over 300 artillery systems, 127 planes and 129 helicopters, almost 100 rocket launcher systems, 54 air defence systems and 7 ships,” he added.

On Tuesday (local time), the latest round of peace talks between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations kicked off at the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul. After the delegation-level meeting between Russia-Ukraine in Istanbul, the Russian delegation announced steps for a “drastic reduction in military activity in the Kyiv and Chernihiv directions” and the possibility of a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The head of the Russian delegation, presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, called the negotiations “constructive”. Moreover, Russia is beginning to withdraw some forces, including Russian Battalion Tactical Groups (BTGs) leaving the surrounding areas around the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv. On February 24, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine after the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk appealed for help in defending themselves against Ukrainian provocations. In response to Russia’s operation, Western countries have rolled out a comprehensive sanctions campaign against Moscow. (ANI)

Russian forces’ movement from Kyiv a ‘repositioning, not a real withdrawal’: Pentagon

Washington [US], March 30 (ANI): Highlighting that Russian forces have moved away from Ukraine’s capital Kyiv “in the last day or so,” Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby on Tuesday (local time) said that he believes this is a “repositioning”, not a “real withdrawal”. “Has there been some movement by some Russian units away from Kyiv in the last day or so? Yeah. We think so. Small numbers,” said Kirby during a briefing. “But we believe that this is a repositioning, not a real withdrawal, and that we all should be prepared to watch for a major offensive against other areas of Ukraine,” he added.

Kirby spoke several hours after a member of the Russian negotiating team announced that the Ministry of Defense had decided “to radically, at times, reduce military activity in the city of Kyiv and Chernikyiv direction.” The Russian defense ministry said it was withdrawing forces as “a good faith” measure in the talks. However, Kirby said the move coincided with the Russian military’s lack of success in its moves on the two northern cities. “Russia has failed in its objective of capturing Kyiv. It’s failed in its objective of subjugating Ukraine. But they can still inflict massive brutality on the country,” he added.

Pentagon press secretary’s remarks come a day after a U.S. senior defense official told reporters that Russian troops are “making really no efforts on the ground to advance on the city,” and days earlier, the same official said the Russians were now “prioritizing the Donbas” region. The Pentagon’s latest assessment is in line with the White House, where communications director Kate Bedingfield described the moves around Kyiv as a “redeployment” and not an outright “withdrawal.”

“Everyone should expect that we’re going to continue to see attacks across Ukraine,” Bedingfield said.
“Obviously, a key message that the president delivered on his trip to Europe last week was that we are in for a long slog, that our allies and partners need to remain, that our resolve needs to remain strong, and that we need to continue to execute on the strategy of inflicting significant costs on the Russian economy, and again, strengthening Ukraine on the battlefields and at the negotiating table,” Bedingfield added.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia cannot be trusted. He said it was Ukrainian troops who forced Russia’s hand, adding that “we shouldn’t let down our guard” because the invading army still “has a great potential to continue attacks against our country.” Ukraine will continue negotiations, he said, but officials do not trust the word of the country that continues “fighting to destroy us.”

US President Joe Biden, asked whether the Russian announcement was a sign of progress in the talks or an attempt by Moscow to buy time to continue its assault, said: “We’ll see. I don’t read anything into it until I see what their actions are.” On February 24, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine after the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk appealed for help in defending themselves against Ukrainian provocations. In response to Russia’s operation, Western countries have rolled out a comprehensive sanctions campaign against Moscow. (ANI)

Operating units of NPPs in Ukraine working in normal mode: Russian ambassador to US

Washington [US], March 30 (ANI/Sputnik) – Statements about threats to nuclear security allegedly created by Russia’s actions in Ukraine are untrue, the operating units of nuclear power plants (NPPs) in that country are working in normal mode, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said. Antonov was commenting on a relevant statement by US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Bonnie Jenkins.

“During the special operation, the Russian Armed Forces took control of nuclear facilities [Chernobyl and Zaporozhye NPPs] on Ukrainian territory in order to prevent nuclear provocations by nationalistic or other terrorist groups,” the ambassador said in a message posted in the diplomatic mission’s Telegram channel . He said Russian servicemen do not interfere in the operation of the NPPs, but only protect them, so nothing poses a threat to the nuclear security regime.

“The operation of the functioning power units continues in normal mode. Nothing threatens their safety, the radiation monitoring systems are fully operational. There is no possibility of a release of radioactive material. This is confirmed by the IAEA leadership,” Antonov said. (ANI/Sputnik)