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Military operation in Ukraine

De-escalation near Kiev stems from awareness it is decision-making center — chief delegate

Vladimir Medinsky stressed that such a decision was not tantamount to ceasefire

MOSCOW, March 29. /TASS/. De-escalation of combat operations around Kiev is necessary for a number of reasons, one of these being the city is a center of decision-making, Russia’s chief delegate to negotiations with Ukraine, Vladimir Medinsky, said on Tuesday.

"The first step implies gradual military de-escalation in two main areas - Kiev and Chernigov. We are aware that in Kiev there are people who have to make decisions. We would not like to pose additional risks to the city," Medinsky said in a commentary to the RT television broadcaster.

He stressed that such a decision was not tantamount to ceasefire.

"We would like to gradually achieve de-escalation of the conflict at least in these areas," he said.

Earlier, after a meeting of Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul Medinsky said that Russia had received Ukraine’s written proposals for a bilateral agreement.

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Foreign policy Military operation in Ukraine

Military operation in Ukraine

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