Zelenskyy appeals to Russians after Putin's truce proposal

He made the statements in an address on January 5.

Zelenskyy addressed the Russians and reminded them that Ukraine had offered the Russian leadership a peace formula. It was proposed on November 15 and one of its points provided for the withdrawal of Russian occupation troops from the territory of Ukraine. 

"This is a guaranteed and reliable way to cease fire, stop casualties and war in general. As of the morning of the same day, the number of Russian soldiers killed was 82,000. On December 12, Russia received an offer to begin implementation of the Peace Formula with the withdrawal of occupation troops just on Christmas Day. As of that day already, the number of Russian soldiers killed was almost 95,000. Apparently both of our proposals have not been heard by the leaders of your country... In the place where they are, apparently, it is too deep to hear," Zelenskyy said.

The President of Ukraine noted that Russia had already lost almost 110,000 of its soldiers in the war in Ukraine. He urged Russian citizens to stop being afraid if they really want the war to end. Because the so-called truce for Christmas is needed by Putin only for a break before further hostilities. And it will bring Russia only more losses.

"Everyone in the world knows how the Kremlin uses respites at war to continue the war with renewed vigor. But to end the war faster, that is not what is needed at all. What is needed is the citizens of Russia who will find the courage to free themselves of their shameful fear of one man in the Kremlin, at least for 36 hours, at least at Christmas time. 

Your fear of him destroys your country, which is also already deep... But not in a bunker," Zelenskyy said.

He added that it is possible to end the war. But it means ending Russia's aggression.

"Even when your missiles and drones are not hitting our cities, the terror in the occupied territories continues. You don't give Ukrainians any respite. People are tortured, electrocuted, raped. This continues every day while your soldiers are on our soil. And the war will be over when your soldiers either leave or we drive them out. So, let them take the toilet bowls - they'll need them on the road - and go back home. Behind our border of 1991," he added.

• Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin ordered Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to cease fire on the front line in Ukraine on Orthodox Christmas, January 6-7. Advisor to the Head of the Office of Ukraine’s President Mykhailo Podolyak and NSDC Secretary Oleksiy Danilov reacted to these statements.
• The US and Germany reacted to Russia's Christmas ceasefire statements in a very similar way: both believe that Putin just needs a break.