Movement Of Russian Forces From Kyiv Seen As Repositioning, Not A Real Withdrawal: Pentagon

Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said the movement of Russian forces in Kyiv coincided with the Russian military's lack of success in its moves on the two northern cities

Russian invasion of Ukraine (Getty Image)

New Delhi: Even as Russia promised to scale down military operations around Kyiv on Tuesday, the US detected small numbers of ground forces moving away from the Kyiv area which appeared to be a repositioning of forces, "not a real withdrawal," insisted Pentagon.

What’s the US stance on the movement of Russian forces in Kyiv?

Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby on Tuesday said that he believes the movement of Russian forces in the last day or so, is a "repositioning", not a "real withdrawal", according to the ANI report.

Speaking at a briefing Kirby stressed that "we all should be prepared to watch for a major offensive against other areas of Ukraine".

The Pentagaon statement comes after a member of the Russian negotiating team informed that the ministry of defence had decided "to radically, at times, reduce military activity in the city of Kyiv and Chernikyiv direction."

The US warned the threat was not over as Ukraine proposed adopting a neutral status in a sign of progress at face-to-face negotiations.

The Russian defence ministry said the forces are withdrawn as "a good faith" measure in the talks. However, Kirby has been quick to respond that the move coincided with the Russian military's lack of success in its moves on the two northern cities.

"Russia has failed in its objective of capturing Kyiv. It's failed in its objective of subjugating Ukraine. But they can still inflict massive brutality on the country," he added.

Pentagon press secretary's comments come after a US senior defence official told reporters that Russian troops are "making really no efforts on the ground to advance on the city," and earlier the same official noted that the Russians were now "prioritising the Donbas" region.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia cannot be trusted.  Stating that it was Ukrainian troops who forced Russia's hand, Zelenskyy added "we shouldn't let down our guard" because the invading army still "has a great potential to continue attacks against our country."