Pentagon Press Secretary Says Russia Is Not Really Withdrawing Transcript

John Kirby: (00:00) Has there been some movement, by some Russian units, away from Kyiv in the last day or so? Yeah, we think so, small numbers. But we believe that this is a repositioning, not a real withdrawal, and that we should all be prepared to watch for a major offensive against other areas of Ukraine. It does not mean that the threat to Kyiv is over. Russia has failed in its objective of capturing Kyiv, it's failed in its objective of subjugating Ukraine, but they can still inflict massive brutality on the country, including on Kyiv. We see that even today, in continued air strikes against the capital city. John Kirby: (00:44) We believe, we assess, that it is likely more a repositioning to be used elsewhere in Ukraine. Where exactly? We don't know. I would just note that the Russians themselves have said, in the same breath they're saying they're withdrawing, that they are reprioritizing the Donbas area in Eastern Ukraine. I don't think we're prepared to slap a bumper sticker on this thing right now. I mean, there are still people dying, there's still bombs falling, there's still missiles flying, and there's still give and take on the battlefield, so I don't think we're ready to call it one way or another here.