Putin instructed to introduce a ceasefire for Christmas

Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to introduce a ceasefire along the entire line of contact from noon on January 6 to midnight on January 7, reported Kremlin press office.

“Given the appeal of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, I instruct the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation to introduce a ceasefire regime along the entire line of contact between the parties in Ukraine from 12:00 on January 6, 2023 to 24:00 on January 7, 2023,” the message says.

The President noted that a large number of Orthodox Christians live in the combat areas, and therefore called on the Ukrainian side to also declare a ceasefire and give them the opportunity to attend services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Earlier today calling for a ceasefire and a Christmas truce for this time in Ukraine and Donbas spoke Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’ Kirill. The truce is necessary so that Orthodox people can attend festive services.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier that the possibility of a truce with Ukraine during the New Year holidays is not being considered, because no such proposals have been received.

After that, Alexei Gromov, Deputy Head of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, emphasized that Kyiv does not intend cease fire on New Year’s Eve. According to him, a “complete ceasefire” on the territory of the country and in the Donbass will come only after not a single Russian military “leaves on the ground.”