Despite the ongoing conflict, Ukraine’s leader has signaled that the new proposal could facilitate the withdrawal of some military forces. This includes troops stationed in the Donetsk region, where Ukraine currently controls 20 percent of the territory. The plan involves setting up demilitarized zones in these areas.

Meanwhile, Russian forces continue to make advances on the front lines, launching persistent missile and drone attacks that target Ukrainian cities and the country’s energy infrastructure. On Wednesday, Russia’s defense ministry reported the capture of another settlement in the southern region of Zaporizhzhia.

“They are looking for a demilitarised zone or a free economic zone, meaning a format that could satisfy both sides,” he continued.

‘Let him croak’

Russian troops are advancing on the front and hammering cities and Ukraine’s energy grid with nightly missile and drone barrages. Russia’s defence ministry on Wednesday said it had captured another Ukrainian settlement in the southern Zaporizhzhia region.