Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has delivered a powerful and sombre Christmas message, appearing to wish for the death of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, as Moscow's forces continued a relentless campaign of missile and drone strikes.
A Solemn Christmas Wish Amidst the Bombs
In a video posted to social media platform X on Christmas Eve, President Zelensky reflected on the resilience of the Ukrainian people. He stated that Russia is incapable of bombing or occupying "our Ukrainian heart, our faith in one another, and our unity." Directly referencing the Russian president, Zelensky shared a collective wish: "Today, we all share one dream. And we make one wish – for all of us. 'May he perish', each of us may think to ourselves."
He immediately tempered this, adding that in prayer, Ukrainians ask for "something greater... peace for Ukraine." This poignant address followed a major Russian bombardment on Tuesday, which killed at least three people and triggered emergency power cuts. Further attacks on Christmas night claimed at least two more lives in the cities of Odesa and Kharkiv.
Progress in Peace Talks and a Demilitarised Zone Proposal
Amidst the violence, diplomatic efforts to end the nearly four-year conflict are reportedly advancing. Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova noted there has been "slow but steady progress" in the peace negotiations. These talks gained momentum after former US President Donald Trump presented a plan last month, viewed by many as favouring Moscow.
In a significant development, President Zelensky indicated a potential concession for peace. He stated he would be willing to withdraw Ukrainian troops from the country's eastern industrial heartland, but only if Russian forces also pull back. The area would then become a demilitarised zone monitored by international forces. A similar arrangement is being considered for the area surrounding the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Zelensky has insisted any final peace plan must be put to a national referendum.
Cross-Border Strikes and Regional Tensions
The war's violence continued to spill across borders. Ukraine's military reported successful drone strikes overnight, hitting the Yefremov synthetic rubber plant in Russia's Tula region and a marine drone storage facility in occupied Crimea. In the Rostov region, an oil refinery was reportedly struck with Storm Shadow missiles.
Russia claimed its air defences downed 25 Ukrainian drones heading for Moscow on Wednesday. Meanwhile, regional tensions escalated as Polish fighter jets intercepted a Russian reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea. The Polish military also reported unidentified objects, suspected to be smuggling balloons, entering its airspace from Belarus.
As the conflict grinds on, Zelensky's Christmas message underscored a nation's defiance and desperate hope for peace, even as the battlefield and negotiating table present an uncertain path forward.
