Zelensky warns Ukrainians of more attacks despite Putin’s call for negotiations

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned residents of the country to expect more Russian attacks in the Yuletide season.

On Christmas day, Russia launched more than 10 rocket attacks in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine and shelled more than 25 towns along the Kupiansk-Lyman frontline.

Nearly 20 towns were hit in Zaporizhzhia, the UK Independent quoted Ukraine‘s top military command as saying.

The development came a few hours after Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president, said he was ready to negotiate for peace.

“We are ready to negotiate with everyone involved about acceptable solutions, but that is up to them – we are not the ones refusing to negotiate, they are,” Putin said.

However, Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to Zelensky, said Russia’s call for negotiations was an attempt to dodge responsibility for the war.

“Putin needs to come back to reality. Russia single-handedly attacked Ukraine and is killing citizens. There are no other ‘countries, motives, geopolitics,” he tweeted on Sunday.

“Russia doesn’t want negotiations but tries to avoid responsibility. This is obvious, so we are moving to the tribunal.”

Putin needs to come back to reality.
1. Russia single-handedly attacked Ukraine and is killing citizens. There are no other "countries, motives, geopolitics"
2. Russia doesn’t want negotiations, but tries to avoid responsibility. This is obvious, so we are moving to the Tribunal.

— Михайло Подоляк (@Podolyak_M) December 25, 2022

‘BE PREPARED’

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, power shutdowns have been experienced across the country as some of the missiles have reportedly struck energy facilities in several regions.

Putin had earlier threatened nuclear retaliation should Western countries continue interfering in the war.

In a video address on Sunday, Zelensky warned Ukrainians of further attacks, saying Russia would aim to make the last few days of 2022 “dark and difficult”.

“We must be aware that our enemy will try to make this time dark and difficult for us,” Zelensky said.

“But it is trying to compensate for its losses with the cunning of its propagandists, after the missile attacks on our country, on our energy sector.

“I know that darkness will not prevent us from leading the occupiers to their new defeats. But we must be prepared for any scenario.”