instructed the Russian president, Vladimir PutinOn Thursday, his defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, imposed a ceasefire regime across the entire line of contact in Ukraine, starting from noon on January 6 until midnight the next day, January 7, which coincides with the Christmas of the Orthodox communities, in response to Calling the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill.
According to the text of the decree, published on the Kremlin’s official website: “In light of the request of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation is instructed to impose a ceasefire regime along the entire line of contact between the two sides in Ukraine.”
The decree added: “On the basis of the fact that a large number of citizens following Orthodox Christianity reside in the zones of hostilities, we request the Ukrainian side to declare a ceasefire regime and allow them to attend Christmas Eve masses and of his eve.”
Earlier in the day, Patriarch Kirill called for the establishment of a Christmas truce in Ukraine on January 6 and 7, stating, in a statement posted on the Patriarchate’s official website: “I, Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia, addresses all parties that play a role in the conflict, calling for a ceasefire and the establishment of a Christmas truce from noon on January 6 until midnight on January 7, so that the Orthodox can attend Mass on Christmas day and its eve.
The official spokesman of the Russian presidency, Dmitry Peskov, denied in press statements at the end of last year that the Russian side had received proposals from the Ukrainian side regarding the New Year’s or Christmas truce.
