Kyiv : President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday that Ukrainian forces are prepared for additional Russian attacks in the east of the country as Moscow beefs up its forces after suffering setbacks near Kyiv.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine, now in its fifth week, has displaced over a quarter of the country's population and heightened Russian-Western tensions to their highest level since the Cold War.

Russia has been unable to capture any major city in Ukraine, including Kyiv, where a Russian army column has been kept back for weeks. Russia said it would reduce operations near Kyiv and the northern city of Chernihiv to establish trust during peace talks in Istanbul this week.

Russia's vow, however, was derided by Ukraine and its Western allies, particularly the United States, as a ruse to reduce casualties and prepare for future strikes. Russia's invasion of Ukraine, now in its fifth week, has displaced over a quarter of the country's population and heightened Russian-Western tensions to their highest level since the Cold War.

Russia has been unable to capture any major city in Ukraine, including Kyiv, where a Russian army column has been kept back for weeks. Russia said it would reduce operations near Kyiv and the northern city of Chernihiv to establish trust during peace talks in Istanbul this week.

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