The pledge comes as part of Russia's participation in peace talks with Ukraine.
Kyiv seeks a neutral status with certain safeguards.
On most fronts, Russia's invasion has been halted.
Ukrainians who have been traumatized scavenge in besieged cities.
ISTANBUL/KYIV OUTSKIRTS/MARIUPOL (Reuters) - ISTANBUL/KYIV OUTSKIRTS/MARIUPOL, Ukraine, March 29 (Reuters) - As a confidence-building measure, Russia vowed on Tuesday to reduce military activities surrounding Kyiv and northern Ukraine, the most clear sign yet of progress toward negotiating an end to the war.

Ukraine suggested neutral status in the most precise formula yet for a possible end to the five-week war during negotiations at a palace in Istanbul.

"A decision was made to increase mutual trust and create the necessary conditions for further negotiations and achieving the ultimate goal of agreeing and signing (an) agreement in order to increase mutual trust and create the necessary conditions for further negotiations and achieving the ultimate goal of agreeing and signing (an) agreement."
Russia has virtually completed the first phase of its assault, damaged Ukraine's military capabilities, and will now concentrate on territories seized by separatists in the southeast, according to Russian officials.

Late last week, Moscow issued a similar statement, which was seen in the West as a hint that it was abandoning its basic goal of toppling the Kyiv administration.

Russia's mission is described as a "special operation" aimed at disarming and "denazifying" Ukraine. The West claims it invaded without warning.