The Kremlin website reported that Vladimir Putin ordered the head of the Russian Defense Ministry, Sergei Shoigu, to cease firing along the entire line of contact in Ukraine from 12:00 on January 6 to 24:00 on January 7.
“At the call of His Beatitude Patriarch Kirill, I instruct the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation to declare a ceasefire along the entire line of contact in Ukraine from 12:00 on January 6 to 24:00 on January 7.”
– the words of the president are quoted on the Kremlin website.
The publication notes that a large number of Orthodox believers live in hostilities, and they should be given the opportunity to participate in the rites of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The appeal also appeals to the Ukrainian side.
Later, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in accordance with the President’s instruction, the troops were instructed to implement a 36-hour ceasefire regime from 12:00 on January 6 to 24:00 on January. 7 along the entire line of contact between the parties in Ukraine.
In response to the President’s instruction, Vladimir Legoyda, head of the synodal department of the Moscow Patriarchate responsible for relations between the church, society and the media, wrote on the Telegram channel that the Russian Orthodox Church welcomes Putin’s order.
“Patriarch’s call has been heard. Thank God!” wrote in Legoy.
Cyril’s suggestion
Earlier, Patriarch Kirill offered to establish a Christmas truce in Ukraine from January 6-7.
“I, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, call on all parties involved in the internecine conflict to cease fire and establish a Christmas truce from 12:00 on January 6 to 24:00 on January 7, so that the Orthodox, on Christmas Eve and They can attend services on the day of the Nativity,” he said.
Mikhail Podolyak, the chief adviser of the Presidency of Ukraine, responded to the Patriarch’s call. On Twitter, he described the proposal as a cynical trap and an element of propaganda. He also noted that the Russian Orthodox Church (RO) is not the authority of world Orthodoxy and is making propaganda, accusing ROC of supporting the special operation and calling for “further militarization of the Russian Federation”.
Podolyak also reacted negatively to Putin’s call.
“Russia must leave the occupied areas – only then will it initiate a “temporary ceasefire”,
– said Podoliac
offer
On January 5, telephone conversations were held between the Presidents of Russia and Turkey, Vladimir Putin, and Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The parties discussed the creation of a gas hub in Turkey for supplies to Ukraine, Syria and Europe, the Turkish leader’s press service reported. Discussing the conflict in Ukraine, Erdogan recalled previous results – negotiations on the grain deal, prisoner exchange and the creation of a security zone around the ZNPP, Anadolu agency reported.
The agency also cites the words of Erdogan, who said calls for peace should be supported by “a unilateral cessation of hostilities and a fair resolution of differences.”
Background of the Christmas Truce
In December, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Russia to withdraw its troops by Christmas. Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Peskov, replied, “There is no such thing, and the Ukrainian side must take into account the realities that have developed over this time.”
Later, before the New Year, Peskov said that Moscow did not receive any offers from Kiev for the New Year and Christmas truce.
On the evening of December 31, the Russian army launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine’s defense industry and energy facilities. According to the Ukrainian side, the country’s energy system has suffered greatly. Also, on the night of January 1, the Ukrainian army bombed Donetsk, Makeevka and Gorlovka. In particular, a vocational school building in Makeevka came under fire, as a result of which 89 Russian soldiers were killed, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.