On Christmas Day, Pope Francis called for peace talks to end the bloody Ukraine-Russia war, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives over two years.
In his “Urbi et Orbi” address from St. Peter’s Basilica, he urged, “May the sound of arms be silenced in war-torn Ukraine” and emphasized that “the boldness needed to open the door to negotiation.”
Still, he faced criticism this year when suggested Ukraine wave a “white flag” to negotiate an end to the war, a proposal rejected by Ukrainian President Zelenskiy. Zelenskiy insisted that talks would only occur if Russia returned all occupied territory to Ukraine.
However, following Donald Trump’s re-election, Zelenskiy has shown more openness to negotiations, proposing a “freeze” on current battle lines and the deployment of foreign troops in Ukraine.
As for Russian, which demands Ukraine abandon its NATO ambitions, it took actions that hinder peace negotiations by launching over 70 cruise and ballistic missiles, along with more than 100 attack drones targeting Ukraine’s energy system, according to the statement given by U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink.
In addition to seven deaths in Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk, residents of Kharkiv are now enduring a freezing winter without heat, while Kyiv faces blackouts. Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, confirmed serious damage to its power equipment.
Russia has escalated its attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector since spring, severely impacting power generation and leading to extended blackouts. Bridget Brink stated that by targeting energy infrastructure, Russia is using winter as a weapon for the third consecutive holiday season.
Zelenskiy condemned the attack as “inhuman,” while US President Biden requested additional military aid from his Defense Department, despite the US already committing $175 billion to Ukraine. However, this aid could end when Trump, who has stated he would quickly end the war, returns to office.
In addition to the attack on Ukraine, one Russian missile entered Moldova, Ukraine’s western neighbor. President Maia Sandu condemned the strike, accusing Russia of choosing violence while both countries celebrate Christmas.
