Russia announces temporary cease-fire in Ukraine | DW News

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday ordered a unilateral 36-hour cease-fire in Ukraine from noon January 6 to midnight on January 7, the same time as Orthodox Christmas.

The Kremlin said Putin was influenced by Russian Orthodox leader Patriarch Kiril in making the decision.

"Taking into account the appeal of His Holiness Patriach Kirill, I instruct the defense 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 cease-fire along the entire line of contact between the sides in Ukraine," a statement from the Kremlin said.

The announcement would be the first time a national cease-fire occurred in the war. It's unclear whether Putin and the Russian military will actually follow through with the decision.

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[mitchrodee]

Russia didn’t stop the bombing while western Ukraine was observing Christmas on December 25th.

[ChrisVillagomez]

If Putin wants to cease hostilities maybe he should pull his troops out of Ukraine, a sovereign nation that Russia promised to respect in return for giving up their Soviet nukes

[SolusWhite]

He's just looking to regroup, rearm, and reposition... The worst thing you can do is give him time for it. If putin wants a ceasefire, then he should leave Ukraine.

[anaryl]

This means that the Russian situation on the front is incredibly dire.

[FortitudineVincimus]

Putin needs 36 hours to replenish supplies unhindered. But I'm sure Ukraine already knows this.

[waynenorris]

He would seem more merciful if he found a six story window to fall out of.

[olafsigursons]

Hit them hard boys! If Russia want a ceasefire they just have to leave Ukraine. As long as there is Russians on Ukrainians territories Ukraine is justified to continue the fight.

[davidr]

Don't give him 36 minutes respite, he certainly had zero consideration for the people of Ukraine over Christmas and the New Year. He is just hoping to replenish and resume. Don't give him a seconds respite. Glory to the Heroes, Glory to Ukraine, Glory to the HIMARS.

[hybridarmyoffreeworld]

You know what's better than a 36 hour ceasefire? If you leave the country you invaded

[kapna]

If russia wants to cease fire, they should get out from Ukraine🇺🇦

[nivek]

Ukrainian soldier to Russian invader: "Happy Christmas Ivan, but you're standing where I am about to shoot." 😑

[knightstemplar]

Russia just admitted they are losing this war.🇺🇦👍♥️

[compassroses]

In Pootinesque language, "ceasefire" means "I'm losing badly, so give me a chance to build up a desperate, hopefully-surprise counterattack."

[PassportKingMarineVet]

Does a cease fire mean time to regroup and reload ammunition ?

[First-Last_name]

I heard a lot of Ukranians celebrated Christmas day December 25th this year 🎄🎅🧑‍🎄

[thePronto]

They need time to recover their dead from Bakhmut. Anyone not wearing a red cross needs to pay the price.

[seaman]

Putler turned out to be soooo trustworthy so far.

[kimhansen]

He can 'order' all he like - It takes two to Tango'

[fredbyoutubing]

They just want to figure out where to put their troops instead of crowding them in obvious locations that goes boom.

[akersjon]

What a crock! Anyone that believs this has anything to do with respecting christmas still believs in santa claus...