The Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu considered that "the objectives of the first phase (of the offensive that began on Feb. 24) have been achieved," according to AFP.

"Russia announces that it will radically reduce its military activity near the Ukrainian regions of Kyiv and Chernihiv," he said.

"The military capabilities of the Ukrainian armed forces were significantly reduced, which allowed us to focus attention and efforts on the main goal: the liberation of Donbass," added Sergei Shoigu.

New negotiations began Tuesday in Istanbul between Kyiv and Moscow, with Ukraine stressing that it has regained control of the land, especially near Kyiv, after over a month since the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Talks between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations began in Istanbul on Tuesday, as reported by the official Anadolu news agency. The talks are taking place at Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul, where the offices of the Turkish presidency are located.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged Russian and Ukrainian delegations to "put an end to this tragedy" as he hosted talks in Istanbul on Tuesday. The face-to-face talks at the Dolmabahce palace in Istanbul are aimed at trying to end a war that has killed an estimated 20,000 people and forced more than 10 million from their homes.