Ukraine has rejected a 36-hour ceasefire over Orthodox Christmas by Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying there would be no truce until Russia withdraws from the country.
“Taking into account the appeal of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, I instruct the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation to introduce a cease-fire regime along the entire line of contact of the parties in Ukraine from 12.00 on January 6, 2023, to 24.00 on January 7, 2023”
– Vladimir Putin, President of Russia
Putin had ordered a 36-hour ceasefire after Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, called for a Christmas truce.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claim the truce was an attempt to stop Ukrainian military advances in Donbas.
