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Zelensky Denies War Stalemate As Kyiv Claims It Hit Russia-Controlled Port

Kyiv:

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Saturday denied that Ukraine’s counterattack against Russian forces had stalled, hours after Kiev announced it had attacked a shipyard on the Crimean peninsula annexed by Moscow. The vast front lines between the warring sides have seen little movement for almost a year, and one senior Ukrainian official warned this week that the conflict was at an impasse.

“Time is passing and people are tired… but this is not a stalemate,” Zelenskiy said at a press conference in Kyiv with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and others.

The Ukrainian leader also said the West was pressuring Kyiv to enter into negotiations with Russia, amid reports that U.S. and EU officials had discussed what such talks would include. He denied that he was calling.

“None of our partners are talking to Russia and pressuring Russia to give us anything,” he said.

kelch’s strike

President Zelenskiy was speaking hours before Kiev claimed an attack on a shipyard in Kerch on the east coast of Crimea, which was annexed by Russia.

Since launching a counteroffensive against Moscow’s forces this summer, Kiev has stepped up attacks on the Black Sea peninsula, which Russia captured in 2014.

Ukraine did not provide further details and AFP could not immediately confirm the Ukrainian account.

Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oreshuk wrote on Telegram that the shipyard was “home to one of the most modern ships of the Russian Navy” capable of carrying powerful supersonic Kalibr missiles. .

Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-installed governor of Crimea, said Ukraine had previously fired a missile at the Kerch shipyard, but it was shot down.

“Some of the debris from the downed missile fell into one of the dry docks. There were no casualties,” he said on social media.

A nearby Crimean bridge leading to mainland Russia, which has previously been targeted by Ukrainian forces, was temporarily closed on Saturday for undisclosed reasons.

Ukrainian and Russian attacks in and around the Black Sea have intensified since the Russian government withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Agreement, which was aimed at ensuring the safe passage of cargo ships.

As the war enters its 20th month and Ukraine struggles to gain ground for a counteroffensive, President Zelenskiy has been meeting regularly with Western leaders to try to ease conflict fatigue.

“Existential War”

Zelenskiy’s comments came as European Commission President von der Leyen visited Kyiv to discuss progress towards Ukraine’s membership in the 27-member bloc.

Kiev gained EU membership status a few months after the Russian invasion last year, but analysts warn it faces a long and difficult road to membership.

“You have reached many milestones,” von der Leyen told Zelenskiy.

“Reforming the justice system. Curbing oligarchic rule. Tackling money laundering, etc.,” she said.

“We must never forget that while you are fighting an existential war, we are also radically reforming your country,” she added.

She then posted on X (formerly Twitter): “We will continue to support and promote a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

“Our support is unwavering.”

He also said at a press conference that he was “confident” that Ukraine would proceed with the accession process if these reforms were implemented.

The European Commission is proposing an additional 50 billion euros ($54 billion) in funding to Ukraine until 2027, von der Leyen said.

Ukraine’s backers, including the United States, say they are ready to back Kiev with military and financial aid for as long as necessary to defeat Russia.

“Good signal”

“Ukraine has come a long way,” Zelenskiy said in an evening speech, noting that many people did not believe the country could achieve EU candidate status so quickly during the war.

It added that the country is stepping up anti-corruption prosecutions and taking steps to better regulate lobbying activities.

He also said he had heard “good signals” from von der Leyen about Ukraine’s progress in EU accession negotiations.

Almost all EU member states support further long-term aid to Kiev, with only Hungary and Slovakia holding out.

The European Commission currently has until November 8 to submit a report on the progress made by Ukraine and other EU member states Moldova and Georgia, ahead of an EU summit in December. be.

Russian shelling on Saturday killed two people, a woman in the central Poltava region and a man in the southern Kherson region, local officials said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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