NATO sees evidence that Russian troops are regrouping, not withdrawing from around Kyiv.

BRUSSELS — Regardless of Russian statements that it will radically cut back its navy exercise round Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, to focus on the battle in jap Ukraine, Western governments see little proof of that, Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO secretary-general, instructed a information convention on Thursday.

“In line with our intelligence, Russian items will not be withdrawing however repositioning,” he mentioned, echoing the views of the U.S. and British governments. “Russia is making an attempt to regroup, resupply and reinforce its offensive within the Donbas area” in jap Ukraine, Mr. Stoltenberg mentioned.

“On the identical time, Russia maintains stress on Kyiv and different cities, so, we will count on further offensive actions, bringing much more struggling,” he mentioned.

Mr. Stoltenberg cautioned skepticism about Russian statements about its plans. “Russia has repeatedly lied about its intentions,” he mentioned. “So we will solely decide Russia on its actions, not on its phrases.”

After Ukrainian-Russian talks this week in Turkey, Russia’s deputy protection minister, Aleksandr Fomin, introduced the choice to “sharply cut back” navy exercise across the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, and the northern metropolis of Chernihiv as a gesture “to extend mutual belief for future negotiations,” relatively than as a tactical retreat.