Zelenskyy’s Christmas wish targets Putin: ‘May he perish’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his Christmas Eve address, condemned ongoing Russian aggression and alluded to a collective national wish for Putin to perish.
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WISE NEWS PRESS / KYIV, UKRAINE — 25 DECEMBER 2025
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his traditional Christmas Eve address, condemned Russia's persistent strikes and alluded to a collective national desire for Vladimir Putin to "perish" while praying for peace.
Zelenskyy shared that Ukrainians hold a singular dream as they mark the holiday during the fourth year of the full-scale war. While noting that individuals might privately wish for the Russian leader's downfall, he emphasized that the broader prayer to God is for the peace and harmony that Ukraine deserves. This address coincided with a period of intensified military activity, as Moscow launched 131 drones on Christmas Eve, resulting in at least two civilian deaths and 35 injuries across several regions.
Persistent holiday strikes and civilian impact
Since the invasion began in 2022, Russia has frequently utilized the Christmas period to launch large-scale attacks instead of agreeing to a ceasefire. In 2022, strikes targeted energy infrastructure, causing widespread blackouts. By 2023, drone attacks killed four in Kherson as Ukraine officially celebrated Christmas on December 25th for the first time, moving away from the traditional January 7th Orthodox date. This year, regional authorities reported casualties in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, and Sumy following the latest wave of 131 drones.
Peace plan negotiations amid escalation
The President’s speech occurred as details emerged regarding a peace agreement facilitated by the United States. While Ukraine and the U.S. reportedly agree on several key points to end the four-year conflict, significant territorial disputes remain. Zelenskyy identified the future of the Donbas region—Donetsk and Luhansk—as the "most difficult point" in discussions. Ukraine continues to reject Russian ultimatums demanding the surrender of territories that Moscow has yet to seize.
Russia’s response to diplomatic efforts
The Kremlin has maintained a maximalist stance regarding territorial control and the management of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesperson, stated that Moscow would "take into account" what Washington communicated but would formulate their position at a later time. Despite the diplomatic uncertainty, Zelenskyy concluded his message by expressing hope that goodness and truth would ultimately prevail, stating, "Peace can be a victory. We can exist and Ukraine can be."
