Zelensky Urges Russia To End War, Withdraw Troops From Ukraine This Christmas

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Russia to end its military offensive against his country this Christmas.

Speaking at a video conference with the heads of state of G7 members Monday, Zelensky pressed Russia to "abandon its aggression" against Ukraine and withdraw its troops.

"This is the time for normal people to think about peace, not aggression. I suggest Russia at least try to prove that it is capable of abandoning the aggression," Zelensky said, according to the transcript released by his presidential office.

"It would be right to start the withdrawal of Russian troops from the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine this Christmas. If Russia withdraws its troops from Ukraine, it will ensure a lasting cessation of hostilities," he continued.

The Ukrainian leader added he doesn't see any reason for Russia to continue the war during Christmas.

"The answer from Moscow will show what they really want – further confrontation with the world [or] finally cessation of the aggression. The one who brought the war upon us has to take it away," Zelensky said.

In his latest meeting with the G7, Zelensky also proposed to convene a special summit called the "Global Peace Formula Summit."

Zelensky said the special summit would determine the timetable and the implementation of the provisions under the "Ukrainian Peace Formula."

He noted that Moscow regularly mentioned a diplomatic settlement to end the hostilities, and he urged his Russian counterparts to "take a concrete and meaningful step" to achieve this.

But despite advocating for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing war, the Ukrainian leader asked G7 again to provide their military with more advanced weapons.

Zelensky said Russia still has more artillery and missiles at its disposal, and the Ukrainian military needs modern tanks, more rocket artillery and long-range missiles to counter Russian attacks.

Zelensky also asked world leaders to protect Ukrainian energy facilities and increase their gas assistance to his country, especially during the winter.

The G7 leaders, in a statement, said they would help strengthen Ukraine's military and air defense capabilities.

Aside from military support, the bloc would also build a donation platform to help Ukraine with its reconstruction efforts.

To address concerns about corruption, the G7 leaders also promised to create a "finance tracker" for the donor portal.

World leaders condemned Russia's "irresponsible nuclear rhetoric" after Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that his country may abandon its longstanding military doctrine of not being the first to use nuclear weapons in a conflict and instead adopt what he described as a U.S. concept of using preemptive military strikes.