The peace talk between Russia and Ukraine at an Istanbul palace on Tuesday led the two countries to reach significant agreements to de-escalate the effects of the war.
What proposals did the countries agree to?
Russia agreed to reduce military activity in Kyiv and Chernihiv in the talk that took place on Tuesday. Other cities like Mariupol, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson and Mykolaiv were not mentioned though.
Ukraine said it would not join alliances or have foreign troops stationed at Kyiv, but would also have guaranteed security from NATO members in terms similar to ‘Article 5’—the collective defense clause of the transatlantic NATO military alliance.
When asked about a peace agreement, Russia's lead negotiator Vladimir Medinsky told the TASS News Agency, “We still have a long way to go.”
The US still skeptical about Russia’s agreement
Following Russia’s agreement to withdraw some military forces from Kyiv, the Pentagon finds it suspicious, saying the so-called retreat is more of a repositioning strategy.