Zelensky Signals Death Wish Toward Putin

Toy tank on map with Ukraine and Russia flags.

Ukrainian President Zelensky delivered a shocking Christmas Eve message appearing to wish death upon Vladimir Putin, escalating wartime rhetoric as Russia launched 131 missiles and drones killing Ukrainian civilians during the holy season.

Story Highlights

Zelensky stated Ukrainians share “one wish”: “May he perish,” widely interpreted as referring to Putin
Russia launched 131 drones and missiles on Christmas Eve, killing at least 4 and injuring 35 civilians
Kremlin condemned the address as “uncouth” and “embittered” following the provocative remarks
The message coincides with stalled US-mediated peace talks over contested Donbas territories

Zelensky’s Provocative Christmas Address

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered his most inflammatory wartime address on December 24, 2025, posting a video message to X that shocked international observers. Speaking amid massive Russian bombardment, Zelensky declared that Ukrainians share “one dream” and “one wish,” stating “‘May he perish,’ each of us may think to ourselves.” While avoiding naming Putin directly, the reference was unmistakably clear to viewers worldwide, marking an unprecedented escalation in presidential rhetoric.

The timing of Zelensky’s remarks proved particularly significant, delivered as Russian forces unleashed their largest Christmas attack in years. Ukraine has shifted its Christmas observance from the traditional Orthodox January 7 date to December 25, symbolically breaking with Russian cultural influence. This cultural shift amplified the impact of Zelensky’s message, delivered on what many Ukrainians now consider their primary Christmas celebration.

Russia’s Christmas Eve Assault

Russian forces launched a devastating barrage of 131 drones and missiles across Ukrainian territories on Christmas Eve, targeting civilian infrastructure and populated areas. The attacks killed at least four people and injured 35 others across multiple regions including Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, and Sumy. Energy infrastructure bore the brunt of the assault, causing widespread blackouts reminiscent of Russia’s systematic targeting of Ukrainian power systems throughout the nearly four-year conflict.

The Christmas attacks followed Russia’s established pattern of intensifying strikes during religious holidays, demonstrating Putin’s disregard for traditional ceasefires. Ukrainian air defenses responded by downing 25 Russian drones near Moscow and striking Russian industrial targets including the Yefremov plant and Crimean storage facilities. This exchange underscored the escalating cross-border warfare that has characterized recent months of the conflict.

Kremlin’s Furious Response

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov delivered a scathing rebuke of Zelensky’s Christmas address on December 25, condemning it as “uncouth,” “strange,” “uncultured,” and “embittered.” The harsh language reflected Moscow’s sensitivity to personal attacks on Putin, particularly when delivered on a global stage during a religious holiday. Peskov’s response suggested the remarks had struck a nerve within the Russian leadership, potentially complicating ongoing diplomatic efforts.

The Kremlin’s reaction highlighted the deteriorating diplomatic climate surrounding President Trump’s 20-point peace plan. While Russia has indicated it will “take into account” US mediation efforts, Zelensky’s inflammatory rhetoric threatens to harden Moscow’s negotiating position. The personal nature of the attack on Putin undermines the diplomatic decorum typically required for successful peace negotiations, raising concerns about Ukraine’s commitment to constructive dialogue.

Impact on Peace Negotiations

Zelensky’s Christmas message threatens to derail fragile peace negotiations mediated by the Trump administration since November 2025. The 20-point US plan proposes establishing demilitarized zones in contested Donbas and Zaporizhzhia regions, requiring international monitoring and potential referendums. However, territorial control remains the “most difficult point” in negotiations, with Russia rejecting ultimatums while Ukraine insists on troop withdrawals from occupied territories.

The inflammatory rhetoric undermines conservative principles of diplomatic engagement and measured leadership during international crises. Rather than focusing on achievable peace frameworks, Zelensky’s emotional outburst risks alienating potential mediators and hardening Russian positions. This approach threatens American interests in achieving a negotiated settlement that could reduce US financial commitments to Ukrainian military aid while establishing regional stability under Trump’s foreign policy vision.