WASHINGTON — Russian forces have started to shift some troops from Kyiv’s area to areas elsewhere in Ukraine. Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby stated Tuesday that this was the first evidence of a strategy shift during its long-running invasion of Ukraine.

Kirby stated to reporters that they had previously assessed their plans for annexing and occupying Ukraine with three approaches. “Now, we believe that they are going to prioritise the east” in Ukraine.

Russian troops have been “stalled in north” near the capital. Initial Russian progress had “stalled out” in south.

He said that Russia has “failed in its goal of capturing Kyiv.” It has failed to subjugate Ukraine.

Kirby warned that troop movements are not a retreat as observers have feared. Kirby said, “We think that this is just a repositioning. Not a true withdrawal.” We should all be aware that there could be a major offensive in other regions of Ukraine.

Kirby spoke hours later after a member of Russia’s negotiating team in Istanbul said that the Ministry of Defense had made a decision to “radically, at times,” reduce military activity in Kyiv/Chernikyiv.

According to the Kremlin, the reduction in military activity was intended to increase mutual trust and provide the conditions necessary for future negotiations.

Early Tuesday saw markets rise on the news that Russia had reduced its military activities. This was amid hope that Russia’s declaration would mean the end of the costly and brutal invasion.

However, leaders from both sides dismissed the suggestion that Putin and Kremlin were acting in good will.

We’ll be watching,” said President Joe Biden Tuesday to answer a question regarding the Russian promise to withdraw troops from the north. “I won’t take anything in until I have seen their actions. Biden stated that they would see if the White House follows through on their suggestions.

Biden said, “In the meantime we’re going continue to strengthen the sanctions.” We will continue to support the Ukrainian military in their ability to defend themselves. We’ll continue to be vigilant about what’s happening.”

Biden spoke after speaking to leaders from France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom on Tuesday morning about Ukraine. A British spokesperson for Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated that the announcement by Russia that it would reduce attacks on Kyiv was not something he believed to be true.

Johnson said to Johnson that Putin’s actions were more important than their words. To force Ukraine’s and its allies into submission, Putin is attempting to twist the knife in Ukraine’s open wound to get them to surrender.

French President Emmanuel Macron also attended the conference call on Tuesday. He spoke with Putin afterwards. According to reports, Putin and Macron talked about the “grave humanitarian situation” in Mariupol. The city was under Russian occupation for many weeks.

The Russian president apparently told Macron, in a clear sign that Putin refuses to accept responsibility for the sufferings in Eastern Ukraine — thousands of people have been killed in the conflict — that the humanitarian situation would not improve unless “Ukrainian nationist militants” stop “resisting and are disarmed.

Putin’s request that Ukrainian troops surrender weapons to Russian soldiers seemed deeply hypocritical, given that their military is currently fighting in Ukraine.

Western officials will closely monitor the situation to determine if Russian troops are moving to Eastern Ukraine and if Russia is expanding its territory. military draft to conscriptPutin will likely make a decision to add more troops by April 1.

However, it is not certain if additional soldiers would provide the Kremlin with a strategic advantage against the motivated and mobilized Ukrainians.

Kirby declared Tuesday, “No amount or spin can hide what the whole world has seen over the past month.”
“And this is the courage, the military prowess, and the will of Ukraine’s people and armed forces.”