Vladimir Putin instructed Russian Defense Minister Shoigu to introduce a "ceasefire" along the entire front line from 12:00 on January 6 to 24:00 on January 7, allegedly at the request of Patriarch Kirill

The press service of the Kremlin reported this.

"Given the fact that a large number of citizens who practice Orthodoxy live in the areas of hostilities, we call on the Ukrainian side to declare a ceasefire and give them the opportunity to attend services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day," the message reads.

The Office of the President responded to Putin's statement, noting that a ceasefire can be possible only if the Russian army retreats from the temporarily occupied territories.

"Ukraine doesn't attack foreign territory and doesn't kill civilians. As RF does., as Russia does. Ukraine destroys only members of the occupation army on its territory," Mykhailo Podoliak wrote on Twitter.

Western leaders called Putin's statement about the so-called "Christmas ceasefire" a provocation. In particular, US President Joe Biden and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called the so-called "ceasefire" an attempt by Putin to "rest" before further military actions.

The UN Secretary-General stated that he would welcome any ceasefire in Ukraine during the Orthodox Christmas, "knowing that this will not replace a just peace in line with the U.N. Charter and international law."

Photo: TASS