Russia To Ease Attacks On Kyiv Amid Talks Of Peace

Russian officials said Tuesday that it will ease attacks in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv amid peace negotiations.

The announcement came after Russia's assault on Kyiv appeared to stall amid talks between the two nations in Istanbul. According to Turkey's foreign minister, Tuesday's negotiations were the most advanced talks as of yet.

“A decision was made to radically, at times, reduce military activity in the Kiev and Chernigov direction," Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin said, emphasizing a desire to build “mutual trust” with Ukraine following its five-week invasion of its neighbor.

According to CNN, officials in the U.S. view Russia’s decision as a significant shift in its plan of action. Officials warn that Russia may use a short-term armistice as a window of opportunity to replenish troops following its failure in accomplishing many of its intended goals.

The head of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Agency, Brig. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, said that Russia will now “try to impose a dividing line between the unoccupied and occupied regions of our country" as operations in Kyiv were unsuccesful.

U.S. officials were cautiously optimistic about peace talks bringing a halt to the carnage. The U.S. has formally accused Russia of being responsible for war crimes, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced in a recent press release, for its attacks on civilian targets.

“Russia’s forces have destroyed apartment buildings, schools, hospitals, critical infrastructure, civilian vehicles, shopping centers and ambulances, leaving thousands of innocent civilians killed or wounded,” he said. “Russian President Vladimir Putin has unleashed unrelenting violence that has caused death and destruction across Ukraine.”