The unexpected action was revealed by Russia’s deputy defence ministry on Tuesday, following negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul.
According to Russia’s Deputy Minister of Defence, Alexander Fomin, the decision was made in the interest of building mutual confidence and the essential circumstances for future negotiations.
According to Fomin, the general staff would give additional details about the decisions made once the Russian delegation returned to Moscow.
Ukraine’s military stated it has seen retreats in the vicinity of both cities.
Ukraine’s primary aim from the negotiations was an immediate cease-fire, but both parties dismissed the possibility of a breakthrough.
In the most recent round of discussions with Russia, the nation is claimed to have suggested a neutral status in exchange for security assurances, implying that it would not join military alliances or host military bases such as NATO.
According to the negotiators, the proposals would also contain a 15-year consultation period on the status of annexed Crimea, which was taken by Russia in 2014, and would take effect only if there was a total peace.
The negotiations in Istanbul, which lasted several hours, were termed as “productive” by Russia’s lead negotiator, Vladimir Medisnky.
He stated that Ukraine’s ideas would not be forwarded to President Vladimir Putin to evaluate what would happen next.
The main negotiator also indicated that a meeting between Putin and Zelenksy may happen if the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministries reach an agreement to halt the crisis.
One of President Zelensky’s political aides, Mykhailo Podolyak, stated that Ukraine’s request for security assurances includes numerous guarantor countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Turkey, France, and Germany.
Briefly. Security guarantees treaty with an enhanced analogue of Article 5 of NATO. Guarantor states (USA, UK, Turkey, France, Germany etc.) legally actively involved in protecting 🇺🇦 from any aggression. Implementation through a referendum & parliaments of the guarantor states.
— Михайло Подоляк (@Podolyak_M) March 29, 2022
Podolyak tweeted that the nations will be “legally [and] actively involved in safeguarding [Ukraine] from any assault.”
He went on to say that the Ukrainian team had volunteered to address the Crimean Peninsula issue, which Russia acquired from Ukraine in 2014, “exclusively through bilateral discussions within 15 years.”
Following the meetings, the White House announced that President Joe Biden will make phone calls with key Western European partners on Tuesday.
