Day: November 4, 2023

Issued on: 04/11/2023 – 15:17

1 min

The sprawling frontline between the two warring sides has barely moved in almost a year, with one senior Ukrainian official warning this week that the conflict was deadlocked.

“Time has passed, people are tired… But this is not a stalemate,” Zelensky told a press conference in Kyiv with EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen.

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.

With the war now in its 20th month and Ukraine struggling to gain ground in its counteroffensive, Zelensky has routinely met Western leaders in a bid to stave off fatigue with the conflict.

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.

“We have already been in very difficult situations when there was almost no focus on Ukraine,” he said, but added: “I am absolutely sure we will overcome this challenge.”

Ukraine’s backers, including the United States, have maintained they are ready to support Kyiv with military and financial support for as long as it takes to defeat Russia.

© 2023 AFP

One person has been killed and another five injured in a horrific mass shooting in Cincinnati.

The incident unfolded in the city’s West End just before 9.30pm on Friday, police confirmed.

One male died at the scene, while the other victims, which include juveniles, were rushed to the hospital. 

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center confirmed the facility received three patients with gunshot wounds on Friday night. Spokeswoman Nanette Bentley told The Enquirer three patients are in critical, but stable condition. 

No further details have been released about their identities or that of the gunman, who remains at large.  

Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge told NBC News she is ‘angry’ about the tragedy. 

‘This is happening too often. People are reverting to gun violence rather than resolving disputes in a humane manner. It is not humane to pull out a firearm and shoot individuals recklessly,’ she said.

Theetge stressed there is no wider threat to the public and that officers were working to notify the victims’ next of kin last night.

‘We are gathering all evidence so we can bring these people to justice,’ Theetge added. ‘It’s unacceptable on a Friday night that six people are shot in our city.’

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval urged the public to pray for the city.

‘Tonight, there was a horrific tragedy in the West End. Children were shot. At least one life was lost. Our friends and neighbors are feeling unimaginable fear, trauma, and anger,’ he said.

‘Right now, I’m asking for your prayers. We will keep you updated as our officers continue their investigation. But I promise this: we will give everything we have to deliver justice against this sickening, heartless violence.’