MOSCOW, March 29. /TASS/. A gradual military de-escalation on Kiev and Chernigov directions does not mean a ceasefire, head of the Russian delegation to Russian-Ukrainian talks Vladimir Medinsky said Tuesday.

He noted that Kiev’s proposals are the first explicitly formulated movement towards a compromise.

"When we saw such step, we also formulated two major reciprocal steps. The first one involves a gradual military de-escalation on two directions - Kiev and Chernigov ones. This is not a ceasefire, but it is our intent to gradually come to a de-escalation of the conflict at least on these directions," he underscored.

Medinsky added that the Russian General Staff will shortly announce "what the slowdown or the de-escalation of the conflict on the two directions will mean exactly."

Following the talks in Istanbul, Russian Defense Ministry announced its decision to radically reduce its military activity on Kiev and Chernigov directions in order to increase mutual trust, create conditions for further talks and signing of treaty on neutrality and non-nuclear status of Ukraine.