Ukraine is wary about Russian proposals to allow civilians to exit the country. Live updates on Russia's threat to cut off gas supplies to Europe.

 Safe lanes to allow civilians to flee the war-torn Ukraine could open as early as Tuesday, a huge move that will almost certainly be regarded with skepticism after previous initiatives failed in recent days.

Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia made the request during the U.N. General Assembly on Monday. A crucial issue that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy labeled "just cynicism" and a propaganda campaign in the country's favor at a Security Council discussion on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine was that fleeing Ukrainians would not have to escape to Russia or its ally Belarus.

"There are no requests in this plan that citizens be transported to Russia or onto Russian territory," Nebenzia stated. "Evacuation is also being offered to Ukrainian cities west of Kyiv, and it will ultimately be up to the people to decide where they want to be evacuated to."

However, suspicions abounded, inspired by prior attempts to guide civilians to safety in the midst of Europe's largest combat war since World War II. The office of Zelenskyy declined to comment on the latest Russian proposal, saying simply that Moscow's preparations can be trusted if a safe evacuation begins.