Meanwhile, the offensive by the Russian Armed Forces, along with the militias of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, are advancing on the areas still under Kiev’s control, in what Moscow has called the second phase of the operation.

Kremlin representatives at the talks handed over their draft agreement to Kiev “with a clear writing,” Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.

Authorities from both countries and some political analysts think that despite the advance of the troops, the talks between Moscow and Kiev must continue, both to end hostilities and to establish the parameters for the future relationship between the two countries.

A few days ago, Lavrov drew attention on recent statements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about the possibility of reaching a peaceful settlement after backtracking on the proposals put forward by his country during the March 29 talks in Istanbul.

The proposals included that Ukraine would not be part of any military alliance, it would be a neutral State in exchange for security guarantees, it would prohibit military bases, and the production and use of weapons of mass destruction, either nuclear, chemical or biological, among others.

The Russian Army, for its part, continues on its way towards the total liberation of the Donbass region, a priority highlighted by President Vladimir Putin since February 24, when Russia launched the military operation in Ukraine. jg/iff/car/mml