anchor: this is dw news live from berlin. the first potential progress in peace talks between russia and ukraine agreed russia says it will reduce military activity around the ukrainian capital but it warns this is not a cease-fire. in a face-to-face meeting between the presidents of both countries is on the table. also coming up tonight, ukraine says its forces have retaken a key town near the capital of kyiv, but ukraine's president is

warning russian troops are regrouping. planning another attack. and after decades of neglect, the german armed forces are flush with cash and on a shopping spree. tonight, the russian threat in germany's military makeover. plus, violence flares again in israel. a gunman has reportedly killed at least four people in tel aviv in a suburb of tel aviv, before being shot dead. it is the latest in a spate of deadly attacks that have shaken the country. anchor: to our viewers watching around the world, welcome. we start with what appears to be the first steps toward peace in ukraine. russia today announced plans to drastically reduce its military

activity in northern crane, including your the capital kyiv written a face-to-face meeting between president vladimir putin and ukrainian president zelenskyy is being discussed. what western governance are skeptical, this could be a move to by russia's military more time before the next big attack. >> a tense atmosphere in turkey with so much at stake. ukrainian and russian negotiators hold their first in person talks in two weeks. previous negotiations in belarus and online have struggle to achieve lasting results but the mood after this round appeared cautiously optimistic. >> the most significant progress since the beginning of the talks was made today. >> ukrainian delegation said it is prepared to accept neutral status and not host foreign military within its borders.

this prompted a promising response from the russian side. >> the russian defense ministry has made the important decision to decrease military activity several fold in the direction of kyiv to increase mutual trust and create the necessary conditions for further negotiations. >> in exchange for neutrality and in of nato membership, kyiv proposed a framework for other countries to act as security guarantors. these guarantees will be legally binding and allow those countries to intervene if ukraine is attacked in the future. the delegation also stressed that any arrangement would need to be supported by the ukrainian people in a referendum rated but they warned that no treaty could be signed and no referendum held while russian troops are still in ukraine. questions on more difficult topics still remain, notably on the status of rebel territories. while president zelenskyy has

previously indicated a willingness to compromise on the matter, the ukrainian delegation was clear. >> the position of ukraine does not change. we recognize the international borders of ukraine as of 1991 rated there are no compromises or redlines here. >> delegates suggested these questions would be addressed at a higher level, opening the door for potential talks between presidents zelenskyy and vladimir putin. yet, even as talks are underway, showing continues. footage from tuesday morning captured the moment that a russian rocket struck an administrative building, killg at least seven people. a timely reminder of the high stakes behind these negotiations. anchor: we want to go to our correspondent, dorian jones in istanbul tonight. it's good to see you.

help us understand what were seeing. we've got ukraine saying it would adopt a neutral status in return for security guarantees. it is this in line with what russia is demanding? dorian: russia has not gen formal response to what was discussed this tuesday meeting. there is a lot of ambiguity over the nature of the guarantee. the status of the ukrainians demanding from these eight countries, which include poland, turkey and israel. and what would be the nature of how they would protect ukraine if it was attacked again. the ukrainian delegation were unclear. one number of the delegation said it would be like nato. an attack on one is an attack on all, which would mean that all eight countries would have to presumably, militarily to the support of ukraine. another delegate suggested

possibly it would just be a no-fly zone would be established over ukraine and arms would be supplied to the country. so these technicalities and find details which probably would shape moscow's reonse. thkey thing ahe moment is they are talking about these key issues of resolving the conflict and they do appear to be talking through them in a serious way, which is probably the first time since the conflict started. anchor: it prompted the turkish foreign minister today to say that these are the most meaningful steps, progress steps that we have seen since the start of negotiations. what you agree with that? we are not coming very far to begin with, are we? dorian: well, exactly. it does not seem much is all because the previous meetings achieved very little indeed. so any progress is going to be significant. having said that there does appear to be a different mood following these talks. the mood is much more positive, both delegations are saying the

talks were positive and constructive. i think that is a reflection o what is happening on the ground in ukraine where the ukrainian forces appear to have fought the russian forces to a standstill. there is a possible stalemate and that is crating a possible wind of opportunity for diplomacy to resolve this conflict. whatever the status remains, could be key to the apparent progress continues. anchor: we know that russia said today that it plans to radically cut back its military activity near the ukrainian capital, kyiv. how is this being read, dorian? is this a sign that russia is really ready to step back to an extent in this war? dorian: i think russia doesn't suffer from a big crebility gap from what it says and what it ds. let's rell, russia was promising it had no plans to invadekraine and that proved toot be true. ukrain has a great deal of

distrust over russian offers and commitments. the reality is they will be looking carefully at what that means on the ground. whether russia is sincere. what does it mean by significant? are these major rocket strikes going to come to an end? and what happens there will be key to what happens going forward, whether there will be an opportunity for further progress if things are proved on the ground in ukraine at that will be a boost to the efforts to bring an end to the conflict and ultimately, the goal of bringing russian and ukrainian presidents together. anchor: you said the mood music right now at these talks is positive. i am wondering, is this building a crescendo that will end in face-to-face talks between both presidents? is that where we are headed? how realistic is it that were going to see that happen? doan: well, let's be clear. i think all sides aee that the only way this conflict is going to end is when the two presidents sit down.

the ukrainians have been offering talks even before russia invaded and moscows refusing, saying that they will only sit down when there is something tangible to discuss. whether it is -- where there is a realiic chance there wille success. this is what these present talks are all about, creating a framework. turkey is saying that they are looking to the next step of bringing together russi and ukrainian foreign minisrs together. if that occurs and if there is more progress there, then possibly, possibly, that can eate a possible meeting between the two presidents and a chance to bring an end to this conflict but we have a long way to go. anchor: darien jones in istanbul at the latest. thank you. and on the ground in ukraine, the situation is a mixed one. tens of thousands of civilians remain chapped in dire humanitarian conditions in the besieged port city. and in the southern city, several people were reportedly killed when a russian missile hit a regional government

building. dozens were wounded. near the capital city, kyiv, ukrainian forces have pushed back russian forces and have reclaimed a key town. reporter: gunfire in the ukrainian town. here, ukraine says it is made new gains in repelling russia's invasion. the town on the outskirts of kyiv was taken after fierce battles and heavy shelling. president zelenskyy announced to the recapture but warned the situation is still tense. >> the occupiers are being pushed away. pushed away from kyiv. however, it is too early to talk about a secure situation. the fighting continues. reporter: ukrainian soldiers are expecting further attacks and have been preparing to hold their ground. one soldier explained they were able to push back russian forces three to four kilometers from their positions. >> the snipers were shooting at

us. reporter: more than 60,000 people used to live here. many of them were forced to flee. some managed to escape fighting on the front line to get to kyiv. >> i just pray to god for salvation. i pray every day for the soldiers who defend us. let them have courage, god. let them have strength. reporter: ukrainian troops say they were also able to retake control of a town in the northeast, close to the border with russia. russian army tanks and artillery were left behind after counterattacks by ukrainian forces. in a nearby kharkev, the war has left homes a streets in ruin. the besieged city of mariupol is

contained thing with a humanitarian crisis. people trapped without food, water and power. at least 5000 have been killed. officials have renewed their appeal for people to be evacuated. even with peace talks underway, russian troops continue to bombard defense facilities in ukraine. and ukrainian soldiers are determined to stand firm against russia's aggression. anchor: for more we want to go to our correspondent nick connolly. he is in kyiv. it's good to see you. you're in the ukrainian capital. what do people think about what we are hearing from russia's deputy defense minister that plans to reduce its military activity and the capital? nick: people are definitely taking those announcements. just this evening we have been

hearing the usual bangs in the distance. some of that will be ukrainian antiaircraft systems knocking things out ofhe sky but there is artillery fire, nightly daily in the suburbsf kyiv. without reports of russian forces in kyiv trying to dig i building trenches and other fortifications, seemingly prepared to be here in the long run. but yes, as you mentioned previously they're not doing very well. they're not taking kyiv and for now, i think people feel like the city has stood up to that russian force on its doorstep. let's have a listen to what people here on the street have to say about the announcements from istanbul today. >> that sounds good, but actually, i do not believe it. >> the question is whether they are going to do this. >> these are not the first talks and every time we hear the same thing. that they want to scale down the fighting. but in fact, they step it up. >> i do not think we can trust

russia. all their words are worth nothing. we believe that they would not wage a full-scale invasion. now, i don't trust their words. brent: at the same time, there seems to have been wins by ukrainian army over the past few days. can you tell us more about that? nick: i think there is no contrast between those things. the russians are putting it ralph based on their defeats and -- a brave face on their defeats. we have heard ruse -- news in recent days that big suburbs of kyiv about 25 kilometers as the crow fries from where i am -- as the crow flies. people have seen pictures of the destroyed ridge and try to cross with their children, pets, lots of civilians died trying to get out of that town. that seems to be back in the control of the ukrainian army and some of the nearby towns

which saw the worst early days in the war seemingly going to ukraine. surrounded by ukrainian forces. in east country closer with the land border to russia, there are towns retaken by ukraine trade as i'm speaking, i can hear loud bangs in the distance. probably artillery fire. this is very real, but the sense that ukrainian tactics of paid off. not engaging in direct battle with the russians in the countryside, in the open areas. not giving the russians the kind of battle they could do well in. instead, guerrilla tactics and working hard to deprive those russian forces of the logistics, food and fuel they need to keep fighting. brent: do we have a sense of the progress or if there has been any progress in evacuating people, civilians, out of cities that are taking really, really heavy hit from the russian military. and i am thinking of mariupol. nick: it particularly has been

uniquely unlucky as it were. it has seen the worst in the way of civilian casualties during the war. we understand 100,000 people are left. civilians. three quarters of the population had been able to leave in recent days and weeks, but these attempts are never well organized and there is lots of chaos and people getting hurt, trying to get out. even if a temporary cease-fire has been organized it is difficult to get an accurate picture of the situation on the ground. they do not have electricity for the most part. they don't have mobile phone connections, so you're talking to people who have got out previously and they're telling you about what the situation was like three or four days before. often they are not able to tell you about what their family, friends still there are going through. the stories are pretty much the same. stories of people stuck for days at a time, bodies going unburied, lying in the streets and of people getting so hungry they are having to break into shops to get food to survive. brent: unimaginable and yet it is the reality on the ground. nick with the latest from kyiv. thank you.

question. should displaying this symbol that you see on the door there, should it be illegal? german lawmakers are considering banning the use of symbols that express support for russia's invasion of ukraine and the letter z is widely associated with vladimir putin's war efforts. it's a common sight on russian military vehicles and pro-social media accounts. german intelligence agencies say that the letter has already been used at pro-war rallies here in the country. >> the letter c as such is of course not forbidden -- the letter z is not forbidden. but its use can mean approval of the war of aggression can be prohibited according to article 140 of germany's penal code. the russian war of aggression on ukraine is a crime, those who public he approve of it can make themselves liable to prosecution. -- publicly approve of it. brent: here is dw's local

correspondent explaining what this ban could mean in practice. reporter: in practice, it means that it can be considered a legal to express your support for vladimir putin's war publicly here in germany. if you do so, you can now officially be committing a crime. there is of course the result of germany having declared that were illegal and a crime. now it just which ways of exposing support will be considered illegal, that is where it gets tricky, because the letter exists in the german alphabet. and can of course not and should not be banned per se. so german prosecutors will really have to prove in every individual case that there is a clear link to vladimir putin's war and that the use of it is a criminal act. and some of germany's regions have said that they are looking into this topic and trying to change the rules make it clearer. it is illegal to hold up a sign with the letter said on a poster at a demonstration, but waving the flag is not illegal. brent: that was dw's knee not

reporting. from symbols to shopping sprees. after russia invaded ukraine, germany's chancellor olaf scholz announced a increase in military spending. included a some of hundred billion euros to upgrade military forces in a pledge to spend at least 2% of germany's gdp on defense every year. so what exactly is germany planning to buy with all of this money? here is a clor look. reporter: these u.s. built aircraft are top of the shopping list. the f-35 can carry all types of weapons. its design and coding make it difficult for radar to detect. but germany' current fighter jet fleet aging fast, an upgrade is long overdue. >> the f-35 is the most modern combat aircraft in the world. and many of our partners, especially in europe, i also

chosen it. together with our partners in the alliance, we will strengthen our ability to secure it a airspace, credibly deter and also, if need be, defend ourselves. reporter: the deal marks a shift in policy. instead of pursuing its own development projects, they are buying what is on the mart even though crics say it increases germany's dependency on the u.s., the war in ukraine has made military audit is asian even more urgent -- military modernization even more urgent. german forces are considering purchasing and is really antimissile shield. the system is called arrow three and cobb laments the so-called iron dog to protect israel against rockets. it can shoot down long-range ballistic missiles and would be powerful enough to predict countries in eastern europe as well. that is something germany so far

has not been able to do, but that night need to in the future. -- but that they might need to do in the future. >> we must prepare ourselves for the fact that we have a neighbor who is prepared to use force to assert its interest. that is why we have to make ourselves strong together, so that that does not happen. reporter: also needed, new heavylift transport helicopters to replace the old bch 53's. a system developed in the 1960's. the list of what they needed to bring it into the 21st century is a long one. from navy ships and tanks to radio equipment and ammunition. easing the backlog caused by decades of chronic underfunding will take years. brent: we've got some breaking news in israel. a gunman on a motorcycle has reportedly killed at least four people in the israeli

ultra-orthodox city. just east of tel aviv. we understand that he was killed by police. this deadly attack follows to similarly violent killings in the country and just the past few days. on sunday, two police officers were killed, while last week, four people died in a terrorist bombing in a city. so-called islamic state has claimed responsibility for both of those attacks. all right, this is breaking news. we want to go to our correspondent in jerusalem. what more do we know right now? tonya: well, as you said, five people were shot at tonight in the city, predominantly unorthodox city just next to tel aviv. the emergency services said that four of the victims were pronounced dead on scene and a

fifth victim died in the hospital. most of the attack was actually caught on cctv. the israeli media is reporting that the attackers -- is a young palestinian man from a village in the northern part of the west bank. who had been working reportedly with -- in israel. and we also understand that police are still searching for possible accomplices or assailants in the area. brent: this attack, it comes just days after so-called islamic state claimed responsibility for killing six people and two other attacks. there in israel. has there been any reaction from the israeli government? tonya: well, absolutely. it is a growing development that is as you said, there was a

deadly attack in a city in the south. on sunday, another deadly attack in the north in the city of hi dara. and these attackers were perpetrating these attacks -- they were tied to the so-called islamic state. we do not have much more information on the background of the attack tonight. the israeli prime minister has said and first reaction tonight that the country is experiencing a wave of arab terror, as he said it and that israel will fight terror with an iron fist. the security cabinet will be meeting tomorrow. again, they have been meeting in recent days and the police have been put on highest alert. several village holidays are coming up in the coming weeks. brent: tania kramer in jerusalem with the latest on this apparent attack -- the latest attack in israel. thank you.

here is a quick look now at some of the other stories that we are following for you this hour. china's largest city, shanghai is grappling with a strict two-part lockdown aimed at curtailing the city's worst outbreak of covid-19 since the pandemic began. the measures have seen the city's financial district effectively cut off from the rest of the city. bridges, tunnels and roads have been closed. nigerian officials say that several people were killed and many injured in an attack on a major railway line. on monday, security sources said 970 passengers were on board a train linking the northst city when assailants detonated a bomb on the tracks for opening fire. u.k. police say they will find 20 people over the various parties that were held by british prime minister boris johnson during coronavirus lockdowns. johnson himself has not been fined. the scandal known as

party gate has rocked the conservative party and threatened johnson's leadership. the investigation continues. and finally, a hollywood actor will smith is apologizing to the comedian chris rock for slapping him on stage during sunday night's academy awards ceremony. in an instagram posted today, smith said that violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. my behavior at last night's academy awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. now, the academy has condemned smith's behavior and announced an investigation into the incident. will smith hit chris rock after the comedian made a joke about smith's wife, jada pinkett smith. you are watching dw news and here is a recap of our main story. pressure claims that it will drastically reduce military activity around ukraine's capital kyiv and the northern city.

peace talks today in turkey, russia set a meeting between the leaders in both countries may take place, but only after a draft peace deal has been prepared. and israeli officials say a suspected palestinian gunman killed five people near tel aviv before being shot dead. it took place in the ultra-orthodox suburb. it is the latest in a series of deadly attacks that have shaken the country. you're watching dw news. after a short break, i will be back to take you through the day. stick around. we will be read back. -- we will be right back.

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♪ >> [indiscernible] >> [indiscernible] >> [indiscernible] >> [indiscernible] ♪ ♪ anchor: welcome from "france 24." these are the headlines. russian bombardment, at least nine killed. meanwhile,