According to the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine on Orthodox Christmas, which is celebrated this week in both countries.
This is the first time Russia has declared a full cease-fire in Ukraine since the offensive began in February of last year.
The announcement comes after Russia’s 76-year-old Orthodox leader, Patriarch Kirill, requested a cease-fire during the religious holiday.
“I instruct the defence minister of the Russian Federation to introduce from 12:00 (0900 GMT) on January 6, 2023, until 24:00 (2100 GMT) on January 7, 2023, a ceasefire along the entire line of contact between the sides in Ukraine,” the Kremlin said in a statement.
“Given the fact that a large number of citizens professing Orthodoxy live in the areas of combat, we call on the Ukrainian side to declare a ceasefire and give them the opportunity to attend church services on Christmas Eve, as well as on the Day of the Nativity of Christ,” the statement added.
During a phone call with Putin earlier Thursday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged him to declare a “unilateral” cease-fire in Ukraine.
