How will the next phase in Russia's war in Ukraine look like? | DW News

Russian forces started to 'reposition' to focus on their offensive in eastern Ukraine. Russia has continued to bombard areas where it pledged to scale back. Meanwhile, the US says some troops have begun moving away from Kyiv for deployments elsewhere in Ukraine.

Russia has promised a temporary cease-fire to let residents of the besieged port of Mariupol flee on Thursday. "Russia's Armed Forces declare - exclusively for humanitarian purposes - a cease-fire on March 31 from 10 am," Major General Mikhail Mizintsev said according to Interfax. However, safe evacuation corridors have functioned only sporadically at best with Russian and Ukrainian forces blaming each other of sabotaging the escape of civilians. A Ukrainian presidential adviser said street fighting was heavy in Mariupol and half the city was in the hands of Russian forces. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Russian forces were "very, very close" to the center of the strategic port city.

Russia's Defense Ministry reiterated its plan to focus forces on securing the separatist republics in the Donbas despite its forces continuing to bombard Kyiv and Chernihiv on Wednesday. "A planned regrouping of troops is taking place in the Kyiv and Chernihiv areas," spokesperson Igor Konashenkov said. The general staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said in a Facebook post a "partial withdrawal" of Russian forces from the Kyiv and Chernihiv regions was underway. The US also confirmed that "less than 20 percent'' of the Russian contingent in the vicinity of the Ukrainian capital were starting to "reposition.'' Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Russia was expected to refit and resupply them for redeployment and not bring the forces home. Kirby also told a news briefing Russian contractor Wagner Group had deployed about 1,000 contractors into the Donbas region.

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[ares]

It’s kind of hard to negotiate peace when you poison the negotiators.

[oliverlotus]

I live in the UK. Your channel and France 24 are far superior to 'our' channels. Keep up your good work X

[joshuapartridge]

As a u.s citizen, If the u.s invaded canada like russia invaded ukraine, i'd have to side with canada

[lovewillwinnn]

Peace means more than the absence of war.

[James-kesx]

What else could possibly go wrong this year.
A new deadly covid variant, wildfire worse than last year, doomsday glacier breaking off, worldwide starvation because of lack of fertilizer from Ukraine and Russia and the list goes on and on and on

[talet]

He has been diplomatic the last 8 years it was even a signed agreement "Minsk" Funny how media has this selective memory

[TheTinKunt]

Thank you DW for getting such intelligent informed guests every time

[bubastis]

I only watch DW now. No American news network provides such level headed, concise and informed news that doesn't descend into hysterics and name calling.

[muadhib]

Russia negotiations :"give me everything I want and we'll see"

[kevinmccue]

I would not lift sanctions until Russia pays to rebuild Ukraine.

[CelticKnight]

Sanctions should stay in place until Ukraine has been rebuilt, and *all* ukrainian territory has been returned.

If that means there's sanctions for the next hundred years... if that's what it takes, that's what it takes.

[mattkelly]

The literal definition of a superpower is being able to project military strength anywhere on the globe he can’t even get his tanks and columns 90 miles from the border of Russia I walk that much in two weeks it’s pathetic

[Senaleb]

"Mariopol, quit now or i'll...bomb ...you??" He's already done his worst, now he just wants them to quit lol.

[Stu]

@11:30 Frank Ledwidge makes a very salient point. This is consistent with Russian doctrine. He is describing a Russian maneuver defense, which entails exactly what he is describing. They withdraw forces, bounding back and artillery covers the maneuvers as they retrograde, withdraw, transition to a defense, or reposition.

[wokeaf]

Another Ultimatum? and another one, and another one LMAO

[Mahtoor]

Mentally stable, well-adjusted, intelligent and considerate individuals always think about peace, harmony and collaboration

[Andrew-obij]

If Ukraine agrees to not join nato, then it can just act like Russia and break the treaty whenever it likes 😏

[KingSobieski]

I guess apologies are in order for Libya, Yemen, Grenada, Iraq, Afghanistan, if invading sovereign countries is suddenly a moral outrage.

[yomismo]

How can you have peace when they are taking one third of your contry and killing your family and neighbor. I hate this guy that give their opinion from a Starbucks in NY.

[henrysantos]

God always stay we love for Ukraine in general
All world we respect Ukraine citizens.🙏.