Ukrainian troops announced on Tuesday that they had regained control of the outskirts of Kyiv from Russian troops. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly stated that he is seeking a direct meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ministry of Defense Said Ukrainian troops have expelled Russians from Macalib, allowing Ukrainians to regain control of major highways and prevent Russian troops from surrounding Kyiv.
Ukrainian Army Staff Headquarters Said Kyiv’s independence, “the Ukrainian flag was raised above the town of Macalif,” 30 miles away from Kiev, and Russian troops were pushed back.
Still, according to the Associated Press, Russian troops were able to control several other suburbs of Kyiv, including Bucha, Hostmel and Irpin, the ministry said.
The allegations have not been confirmed by US or NATO authorities. Russian authorities have also made no public comments on Ukraine’s allegations.
Zelensky told the European public television network that such a conference could discuss the future of occupied Ukrainian territory, but more time would be needed to resolve the issue. He also reiterated that Ukraine was unable to secure NATO membership earlier this month.
“Until we meet with the President of the Russian Federation … what they are ready to do to stop the war, and what they are ready to do if we are not ready for this. I don’t think you can really understand if it’s done or a compromise, “said Zelensky.
Zelensky also suggested that his government would be open to future talks about the situation in Crimean, which Russia annexed in 2014, and the region of the Donbus region, which is owned by Russia-backed separatists.
“If people are trying to stop the war, there will be a ceasefire and the army will withdraw. The president will meet and reach an agreement on the withdrawal of the army and there will be some security,” Zelensky added. “We need to find a compromise in some way to ensure our security.”
“Russian troops heading northeast to the city are at a standstill,” the British Ministry of Defense said on Monday as fierce fighting continues north of Kyiv.
Russian troops advancing northwest from Hostomel were “repulsed by fierce Ukrainian resistance,” and said that “most” of Russian troops were more than 16 miles away from the city center.
Kyiv is currently under a curfew announced by the mayor and former heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko on Monday. Klitschko wrote in Telegram that the curfew begins at 8 pm local time on Monday and lasts until 7 am on Wednesday.
“Shops, pharmacies, gas stations and facilities will not work tomorrow,” he said. “Therefore, I ask everyone to stay at home or in a shelter … with the sound of an alarm. Only people with special permits can move around the city.”
Since the start of the conflict on February 24, Ukraine has accused Russia of committing war crimes targeting civilians. Russia says its army targets only military infrastructure and troops and accuses Ukrainian troops of hiding in residential and business areas.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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Jack Phillips is the latest news reporter for The Epoch Times, based in New York.