KYIV, Ukraine, Nov 4 — President Volodymyr Zelensky denied today that Ukraine’s war with Russia had reached a “stalemate”, pushing back at suggestions Western leaders were...
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a joint press conference with European Commission President following their talks in Kyiv on November 4, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. — AFP picKYIV, Ukraine, Nov 4 — President Volodymyr Zelensky denied today that Ukraine’s war with Russia had reached a “stalemate”, pushing back at suggestions Western leaders were lobbying for peace talks.
The Ukrainian leader also rejected the idea Western countries were putting pressure on him to enter negotiations with Russia, amid reports US and EU officials had spoken to Kyiv about what such talks would entail.“No one among our partners is pressuring us to sit down with Russia, talk to it, and give it something,” he said.
Zelensky said the war between Israel and Hamas had also drawn attention away from Ukraine, and said that this was “Russia’s goal”.“Of course, it’s clear that the war in the Middle East, this conflict, is taking away the focus,” Zelensky said.