Zelensky’s Christmas message blends a call for peace in Ukraine with dark wish for Putin

In a video message posted on X, Zelensky said that despite the suffering inflicted by Russia, it was incapable of destroying what mattered most to Ukrainians — their unity, faith and national spirit.

“Despite all the suffering that Russia has brought, it is not capable of occupying or bombing what matters most. That is our Ukrainian heart, our faith in one another, and our unity,” Zelensky said.

Without naming Putin directly, the Ukrainian leader added, “Today, we all share one dream. And we have one wish for everyone: ‘May he perish,’ as everyone says to themselves.”

Zelensky later struck a conciliatory tone, saying that Ukrainians ultimately pray for peace. “But when we turn to God, of course, we ask for something greater. We ask for peace for Ukraine. We fight for it, we pray for it, we deserve it,” he said.

The remarks came a day after Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine using missiles and drones, killing at least three people and triggering widespread power outages.

Zelenskyy described the assault as a “godless strike,” accusing Moscow of deliberately targeting civilians on the eve of Christmas.

“On the eve of Christmas, the Russians once again showed who they truly are. Massive shelling, hundreds of Shahed drones, ballistic missiles, Kinzhal strikes — everything was used,” he said.

Separately, Zelensky revealed details of a 20-point, US-led proposal aimed at ending the nearly four-year-long war.

Speaking to reporters, he said Ukraine would be prepared to withdraw troops from parts of its eastern industrial heartland as part of a broader peace deal, provided Russia also pulls back and the areas are turned into demilitarised zones monitored by international forces.

The proposal represents the clearest indication yet of the compromises Kyiv may be willing to consider regarding the Donbas region, which has become a central point of contention in negotiations.

Russia currently controls most of Luhansk and around 70 per cent of Donetsk, territories President Putin has demanded Ukraine formally cede — an ultimatum Kyiv has repeatedly rejected.

Zelensky also said a similar arrangement could be considered around the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, adding that any final peace agreement would need approval through a national referendum.

Russia has so far shown no willingness to withdraw from the territories it has seized since the invasion began in 2022.

Meanwhile, American negotiators have held separate talks with Kyiv and Moscow since US President Donald Trump last month unveiled a proposal to end the war, a plan critics say favours Russia.

Since then, Ukraine and its European allies have been working to bring the framework closer to Kyiv’s position.

As fighting continues, Zelensky’s Christmas message underscored the sharp contrast between his calls for peace and the deep hostility toward Russia’s leadership that remains entrenched after years of war.