Zelenskyy says Ukrainian unity is stronger than war in Christmas address
Ukrainian unity, faith, and identity remain stronger than the war, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared in his Christmas message.
Speaking against the backdrop of the fourth year of Russian military aggression, the leader described the holiday as a moment of collective reflection.
Zelenskyy spoke of Christmas as a time marked by loss and suffering, yet defined by the continuity of values. Despite the conflict, he emphasized that the holiday remains a symbol of solidarity for millions separated by the front lines, occupation, or exile.
"This Christmas Eve is about all of us," Zelenskyy said. "It is about what makes Ukrainians who they are: love for our home, our roots, and our traditions. It is about the happiness of being together as a family."
The president stressed that the stakes of the war exceed the military dimension. He framed the defense of Ukraine as the protection of a way of life and simple, fundamental values that Russian aggression seeks to dismantle.
Zelenskyy invoked the painful realities of the season, including soldiers in trenches, prisoners of war, and broken families. He acknowledged that while many homes are empty this year, Russia cannot occupy the most vital element: the Ukrainian heart and national unity.
The Ukrainian leader condemned Russian attacks launched on Christmas Eve, labeling them an expression of contempt for human and religious values. "This is how those who have nothing in common with Christianity or humanity act," he stated.
The message concluded with a call for prayer and hope. Zelenskyy noted that Ukrainians are not only praying for peace but fighting for it, asserting that the nation deserves its sovereignty and tranquility.
This year marks the third time Ukraine has officially celebrated Christmas on December 25. The shift follows a 2023 law signed by Zelenskyy to distance the country from Moscow’s influence and the Julian calendar traditionally used by the Russian Orthodox Church.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
