Kremlin Critiques Zelenskys Christmas Message as Strange and Bitter

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Christmas message on Thursday, labeling it as “coarse” and “resentful.” He expressed doubts about Zelensky’s ability to participate in ongoing peace negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict.

During his Christmas Eve address, Zelensky stated that all Ukrainians “share one aspiration, and we make a common wish for ourselves: May he perish,” which many interpreted as a direct reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In a press briefing, Peskov called Zelensky’s remarks “truly unusual,” adding, “It was coarse and resentful, making him seem quite unhinged. This raises concerns about his capacity to make rational decisions regarding the diplomatic resolution of political matters.”

These remarks come as the Trump administration is actively seeking to mediate a peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv. On Wednesday, Zelensky disclosed aspects of a recent U.S.-backed initiative to conclude the conflict, which Peskov stated Kremlin officials are currently “analyzing.”

In 2023, Zelensky shifted Ukraine’s official Christmas holiday from the traditional Orthodox date of January 7 to December 25, a change that Kyiv has framed as part of its efforts to distance itself from Russian religious and cultural practices.

Additionally, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine has adopted the revised Julian calendar, which now coincides with the Gregorian calendar observed by Roman Catholics.