Russian negotiators said Tuesday that Russia will “drastically” reduce its military activity near Kyiv and Chernigov in Ukraine, after “important” negotiations between the two countries’ delegations in Istanbul.

“With the negotiations on the neutrality agreement and the non-nuclear status of Ukraine entering a practical dimension (…), it was decided, in order to increase confidence, to radically limit military activity towards Kyiv and Chernigov,” the Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin said in Istanbul.

The head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinki, described the negotiations as “significant.” He also clarified that Russian President Vladimir Putin may meet with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky.

Follow today’s meaningful discussions [martes] “We agreed and proposed a solution according to which the meeting of heads of state would be possible simultaneously with the signing of the treaty by foreign ministers,” Medinsky added.

“Provided that the agreement is reached quickly and the necessary settlement is reached, the possibility of making peace will be much closer,” he said.