In a recent interview with a close advisor to the Ukrainian government, it has been revealed that the Ukrainian leadership is contemplating potential concessions in order to reach a temporary ceasefire with Russia. The advisor noted that this discussion arises in light of ongoing Russian advances in Eastern Ukraine and the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming U.S. elections.

The Financial Times reported last week that Ukrainian officials are increasingly leaning towards a strategy reminiscent of West Germany’s approach, which involved relinquishing the idea of forcibly reclaiming lost territories in exchange for NATO membership.

Currently, approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory remains under Russian occupation. The unnamed official emphasized that Ukraine is “seriously discussing” the possibility of temporarily abandoning its full goal of reclaiming all territories controlled by Russia. He explained that the relentless, albeit slow, push by Russian forces in Eastern Ukraine is fueling a growing war fatigue among the Ukrainian populace. Many citizens are expressing their desire to avoid entering a third winter of conflict, particularly given their concerns that regardless of whether Trump or Harris wins the U.S. presidential election, American support for Ukraine is likely to dwindle.

Moreover, Ukrainian officials are sounding alarms over intensified Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure as winter approaches. On October 14, reports indicate that Russian shelling and drone assaults in southern Ukraine resulted in at least three fatalities and injuries to eight others.

According to local authorities, a Russian drone struck vehicles in Kherson region, killing two women. Concurrently, Russian artillery fire in the port city of Odesa claimed one life and injured eight others.

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba took to Telegram to share that the recent attacks in Odesa also damaged two civilian ships, including a cargo vessel flying the flag of Palau, which had been attacked for the second time in just two weeks.

Kuleba further reported that the Russian military’s assaults have wreaked havoc on port infrastructure, including the destruction of a grain silo.

On October 14, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that Russian forces had taken control of the village of Levadne in southeastern Ukraine. Since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war, control of Levadne has oscillated between Russian and Ukrainian forces. This small settlement is located in the Zaporizhzhia region, southwest of Donetsk, where recent Russian offensives have been concentrated.