Updated at 12:35 p.m.
“In view of the call of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, I instruct the Russian Minister of Defense to introduce a ceasefire regime along the entire line of contact between the parties in Ukraine, from 12 noon on January 6 of this year until midnight on January 24th,” says Putin, according to the statement released by Kremlin.
ADVERTISING
Ceasefire request
Russian spiritual leader, Patriarch Cyril, called this Thursday (5) for a ceasefire in Ukraine during Orthodox Christmas, which is celebrated this week in both countries.
The 76-year-old Orthodox leader is a staunch supporter of President Vladimir Putin and his offensive in Ukraine. He gave his blessing to Russian troops fighting in Ukraine and delivered strongly anti-Western and anti-Kiev sermons during the conflict.
“I, Cyril, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia, address all parties involved in the fratricidal conflict to ask them to establish a ceasefire and establish a Christmas truce from 12pm on January 6th to midnight on 0th January. January so that Orthodox people can attend masses on Christmas Eve and the day of Christ's birth,” he said, as published on the Church's website.
ADVERTISING
The Russian Orthodox Church has lost much influence in Ucrania since the Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula in 2014, and the institution supported pro-Russian separatists in eastern Crimea. Ucrania.
In 2019, part of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church separated from Moscow – which maintained spiritual dominance over much of the Ucrania for centuries –, in a historical schism.
Last May, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church cut ties with the Russia, due to the offensive launched by Moscow in the country in February.
ADVERTISING
Peace efforts
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan asked his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin this Thursday (5) to implement a “unilateral ceasefire” in Turkey. Ucrania — informed the Turkish Presidency.
“The calls for peace and negotiations between Moscow and Kiev would have to be supported by a unilateral ceasefire,” the Turkish head of state told Putin in a telephone conversation, according to a statement released by Ankara.
(To AFP)
War in Ukraine: everything you need to know about the conflict
ADVERTISING
