Russian comments, which followed a round of peace talks with Ukrainian officials in Istanbul on Tuesday, sent global shares higher amid investor optimism that the talks might be gaining traction. “You saw the news today that the Russian military administration had reportedly decided to ‘reduce hostilities in the direction of Kiev and Chernihiv,’” Zelensky said in a speech late Tuesday. “We must not lose vigilance. The situation has not become easier. The scale of the challenges has not diminished. “The Russian army still has significant capabilities to continue its attacks on our state.” The apparent Russian setback, announced by Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, was the first dim sign of progress toward ending a month-long war. However, Ukraine and its Western allies remained deeply wary of President Vladimir Putin’s intentions as Russia prepared for a major offensive in the eastern Donbass border region and continued to strike south. “Yes, we can positively name the messages we hear from the negotiating platform. “But these signals do not silence the explosion of Russian shells,” said Zelensky, who later referred to a bomb blast in the southern city of Mykolayiv that killed at least eight people on Tuesday. Authorities in Donbas on Wednesday said residential areas in Lysychansk, a district town, had been bombed by “heavy artillery”. Although Russia framed the withdrawal in Kyiv and Chernihiv as a confidence-building exercise, it seemed to justify the concessions already made by Russian forces in the face of Ukrainian counterattacks. The UK Department of Defense announced on Wednesday that the units had to return to Russia and Belarus to reorganize and resupply after suffering heavy losses. He added that Russia’s alleged relocation to Donbass was “probably a tacit admission that it is struggling to maintain more than one axis of advance” and warned that Russia was “likely to compensate for its reduced ground maneuverability through massive artillery and artillery.” strikes”. British defense officials added that Ukrainian forces were repulsing Russian forces northwest of Kiev, including Irpin, and that “the Russians were repulsed from many positions.” Joe Biden reiterated his Ukrainian counterpart, saying he would not “read anything” in Russia’s decision to limit its military activities near Kyiv. “We will see if they follow what they are proposing,” Biden told the White House. The US president added that he had spoken with the leaders of France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy on Tuesday, and they all agreed that they were open to listening to Russia. “There seems to be a consensus that let’s see what they have to offer,” Biden said. As they assessed Russia’s actions, the United States and its allies will continue to impose sanctions, provide lethal assistance to Ukraine, and monitor diplomatic talks, he added. Zelensky said that “sanctions must be strengthened. Intensified weekly. And they must be effective “in order to achieve peace.

Chief of Staff Andriy Ermak said on Wednesday that Ukraine needed “effective weapons, heavy weapons, artillery, anti-aircraft and anti-aircraft missiles”, but “at the same time, we are not stopping diplomatic efforts to end the war.” Talks are set to resume online after Ukraine formally submitted draft proposals to Russia on Tuesday. Fomin said talks were “entering a practical phase” on issues of neutrality and Ukraine’s non-nuclear status – two crucial Russian demands – in exchange for security guarantees for Ukraine. Oleksandr Chaly, a member of the Ukrainian delegation, said that Ukraine and Russia would continue negotiations for the next two weeks and then the “guarantor countries” – the states that are expected to take over Ukraine’s security as part of a settlement – will be able to participate.