Russia says it will cut back on its war near Ukraine’s capital Kyiv and the Northern city of Chernihiv amid peace talks striving at ending the war that began more than a month ago.

On Tuesday, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Formin said the move was meant “to increase mutual trust and create conditions required for further negotiations.”

As negotiators met at the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul, Turkey, Mr Formin noted that the “ultimate goal” of the negotiations is for both countries to reach a peace treaty.

The physical peace talks between Ukraine and Russia come more than two weeks after the virtual meetings. The negotiations were held for five hours in Istanbul with both sides reporting progress as they talk went. 

Ukrainian negotiator Alexander Chaly said the next phase of talks to hold in about two weeks could involve other countries in the negotiation process.

However, David Arakhamia of the Ukrainian delegation noted that the material of the now-concluded negotiations has “developed to involve the presidents of Ukraine and Russia in the talks.”

On Tuesday, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged Russia and Ukraine to stop the war, adding that the “extension of the conflict is in no one’s interest.”