Ukraine's Zelenskiy skeptical about Russian pullback near Kyiv

Local walks past buildings damaged by shelling, as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues, in the town of Trostianets, in Sumy region, March 28, 2022. [Reuters]

Ukraine and its Western allies on Wednesday dismissed a Russian military pullback from near Kyiv as a ploy to refit troops after heavy losses, even as invading forces bombard cities elsewhere and press on with the obliteration of besieged Mariupol.

Nearly five weeks into an invasion in which it has failed to capture any major cities, Russia said it would curtail operations near Kyiv and the northern city of Chernihiv "to increase mutual trust" for peace talks.