(LibertyInsiderNews.com) – Ukrainian President Zelensky delivered a shocking Christmas Eve address appearing to wish death upon Vladimir Putin, escalating tensions as Russia launched devastating holiday attacks killing civilians across Ukraine.
Story Highlights
- Zelensky states Ukrainians share “one wish” that Putin “may perish” in Christmas Eve video address
- Russia launched 131 drones and missiles on Christmas Eve, killing at least four and injuring 35 civilians
- Kremlin condemns address as “uncouth” and “embittered” while rejecting peace negotiations
- Trump administration’s 20-point peace plan faces obstacles over contested Donbas and Zaporizhzhia regions
Christmas Eve Death Wish Rocks Diplomatic Efforts
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered an unprecedented Christmas Eve address on December 24, 2025, where he stated Ukrainians share “one dream” and “one wish”: “May he perish, each of us may think to ourselves.” While Zelensky never explicitly named Putin, the remark was widely interpreted as referring to the Russian president. This marked a dramatic departure from previous Christmas addresses that focused on resilience without direct calls for an enemy leader’s demise.
The timing of Zelensky’s address coincided with massive Russian attacks across Ukraine. Russia launched 131 drones and missiles targeting civilian infrastructure in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, and Sumy regions. The coordinated Christmas Eve assault killed at least two people and injured 35 others, with additional strikes on Odesa and Kharkiv claiming two more lives. These attacks followed Putin’s pattern of targeting Ukrainian civilians during religious holidays, undermining any pretense of respecting international humanitarian law.
Russia Escalates Holiday Terror Campaign
Russia’s Christmas Eve offensive represents the latest in a four-year pattern of deliberately targeting Ukrainian civilians during holidays. The attacks caused widespread power outages and infrastructure damage, demonstrating Putin’s strategy of weaponizing energy supplies against innocent families. Ukrainian forces responded by striking Russian military targets, including the Yefremov rubber plant and Crimean storage facilities, while Russian officials reported downing 25 Ukrainian drones near Moscow.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov immediately condemned Zelensky’s address as “uncouth,” “strange,” “uncultured,” and “embittered.” This response reveals Russia’s hypocrisy in criticizing harsh rhetoric while simultaneously conducting terror bombings against civilian populations. Peskov’s outrage rings hollow when contrasted with Russia’s systematic targeting of hospitals, schools, and residential areas throughout the nearly four-year conflict that began with Putin’s illegal invasion on February 24, 2022.
Trump Peace Plan Faces Donbas Deadlock
Zelensky’s inflammatory remarks complicate President Trump’s efforts to broker peace between the warring nations. The Trump administration’s 20-point peace plan proposes demilitarized zones in Donbas and Zaporizhzhia under international monitoring, with potential referendums determining final territorial status. However, negotiations remain stalled as Russia demands complete control over these regions while Ukraine seeks international guarantees protecting civilians from further Russian aggression.
The peace talks reveal fundamental disagreements about territorial integrity and security arrangements. Ukraine has indicated willingness to consider troop withdrawals in exchange for robust international monitoring and civilian protection guarantees. Russia’s maximalist demands for territorial annexation without safeguards demonstrate Putin’s unwillingness to negotiate in good faith, forcing Trump’s team to conduct separate discussions with each side rather than direct talks.
Cultural Independence Strengthens Ukrainian Resolve
Zelensky’s address also highlighted Ukraine’s cultural break from Russian influence, marking the country’s second year celebrating Christmas on December 25 instead of the traditional Orthodox January 7 date. This shift represents broader Ukrainian efforts to de-Russify their society and align with Western traditions. Despite facing continued bombardment, Zelensky emphasized that Ukrainian unity, faith, and national spirit remain “unbombable” by Russian forces.
The Christmas Eve address underscores the moral clarity that should guide American foreign policy. While diplomatic solutions remain preferable, Ukraine’s right to self-defense against Russian aggression aligns with fundamental American values of sovereignty and individual liberty. Putin’s regime continues demonstrating its disregard for civilian life and international law, making Ukrainian resistance a justified response to unprovoked invasion and systematic war crimes targeting innocent families during sacred holidays.
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