Zelensky makes fresh Putin demand

 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for increased global pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin following one of the largest coordinated missile and drone strikes on Ukraine’s civilian and energy infrastructure.

The strikes killed multiple people, including a child, and came amid U.S.-brokered negotiations, prompting Zelensky to accuse Moscow of deliberately undermining peace efforts.

In a post on Telegram, Zelensky said, “A strike carried out virtually in the midst of negotiations aimed at ending this war. Putin cannot accept the need to stop killing. And this means the world is not applying enough pressure on Russia. Action is needed now. Russia must be forced toward peace and guaranteed security.”

Details of the attack

Ukraine’s military said Russia launched hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles overnight, hitting energy facilities and residential areas across multiple regions.

Civilian casualties included a woman in the Kyiv region, a man in Khmelnytskyi and a 4-year-old girl in Zhytomyr — who was killed when a drone struck a residential building. The attack also caused widespread blackouts and heating disruptions, leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity during freezing winter conditions.

International response

Poland’s military said it scrambled fighter jets and raised its air defenses to the “highest state of readiness” to protect NATO territory during the attack.

Warsaw confirmed it shot down Russian drones that violated its airspace, highlighting ongoing concerns about the war spilling beyond Ukraine.

The United States continues to push indirect negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow, though talks remain stalled over territorial issues and Ukraine’s demand for firm security guarantees.

Russia’s response

Russia rejected Zelensky’s proposal for a Christmas truce on energy strikes, claiming Ukraine would use any pause to regroup militarily.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Ukraine of attempting to target President Putin’s state residence in Novgorod with long-range drones, calling the alleged incident “state terrorism” and warning of retaliation.

Zelensky dismissed the claims as “lies,” saying Moscow was fabricating accusations to justify continued attacks.

Latest development

Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are taking place in Paris with help from the United States and European allies. President Zelensky said the plan for peace is “90 percent ready,” but the main sticking point is whether Ukraine will have to give up any land.

Russia wants a full and permanent deal, not a temporary pause, and has kept up missile and drone strikes even while talks continue. The United States is pushing for strong security guarantees to protect Ukraine in the future.