Zelenskyy Slams Putin as ‘Man of War’ After Deadly Russian Strike on Kyiv
Ukrainian leader links latest attacks to Moscow’s intentions ahead of talks with Donald Trump
Russia, Dec 28 : Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday described Russian President Vladimir Putin as “a man of war” following a fresh wave of deadly Russian strikes on Kyiv and surrounding regions.
Speaking in Halifax, Nova Scotia, alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Zelenskyy said the prolonged assault underscored Russia’s unwillingness to pursue peace. “We want peace. And he’s a man of war,” Zelenskyy said.
The remarks came a day before Zelenskyy’s scheduled meeting with US President Donald Trump in Florida, where the Ukrainian leader is expected to present a 20 point peace plan aimed at ending the nearly four year long conflict. Trump has previously said that any peace proposal would require his “approval.”
During his stopover in Canada, Zelenskyy held discussions with Prime Minister Carney as well as leaders from NATO and the European Union. He urged Ukraine’s partners to maintain strong positions both on the battlefield and on the diplomatic front to prevent Moscow from delaying or undermining efforts toward a just settlement.
“Strong positions are needed both at the front and in diplomacy to prevent Putin from manipulating and evading a real and just end to the war. The world has sufficient strength to guarantee security and peace,” Zelenskyy wrote in a post on X following the meetings.
His comments followed one of Russia’s largest aerial assaults on Kyiv in recent months. According to Ukrainian officials, the attack killed at least two people and injured four others. Zelenskyy said Russia launched nearly 500 drones, including a large number of Shahed drones, along with more than 40 missiles, including hypersonic Kinzhals.
CNN reported that the assault lasted more than 10 hours, causing widespread power outages and disrupting daily life in the Ukrainian capital. Zelenskyy said energy facilities and civilian infrastructure were targeted, with residential buildings damaged and rescue operations underway. Several districts in Kyiv and the surrounding region were left without electricity and heating.
The strikes came just a day after Zelenskyy confirmed his upcoming meeting with Trump. The Ukrainian president is scheduled to meet the US leader at Mar a Lago in Florida on Sunday, December 28, where discussions are expected to focus on the proposed peace plan and potential US security guarantees for Ukraine.
