“I don’t trust any of Vladimir Putin’s words”

Russia’s recent promises to withdraw troops from parts of Ukraine, including Kyiv, have proven to be nothing but a lie, according to political analysts and those on the ground

The Russian Defence Ministry has announced a temporary ceasefire, allowing trapped civilians to evacuate the region of Mariupol.

The Kyiv Independent reports the humanitarian corridor will begin at 10 am local time on March 31.

The US Department of Defence says around 20 percent of Russia’s forces are “repositioning”, while Moscow is pledging to decrease its military presence near the capital to “increase mutual trust”.

Despite the developments Kyiv’s mayor says this is “simply not true”, adding sirens, rocket attacks and explosions near his city have continued at full force.

The Kremlin’s top spokesperson also told the media that there was nothing promising nor any breakthroughs reached at the diplomatic talks.

Western leaders pleading for caution when it comes to any promises made by Russia, as US President Biden spoke to Ukraine’s Zelensky for the first time in weeks.

“Don’t trust the words coming from the Kremlin”

Andrew D’Anieri, Assistant Director of the Eurasia Center says he does not believe any words coming out of the Kremlin’s office, stating ‘any new announcement’ is simply false.

As aggression by Russia enters week five, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky says his nation is bracing for a new Kremlin offensive in eastern Ukraine.

“There is an accumulation of Russian troops for new strikes in Donbas. And we are preparing for this,” the president said in the statement.

Zelensky also expressed skepticism at Russia’s statement in negotiations to scale down military operations around the capital, Kyiv, and another main city Chernihiv.