Vladimir Putin orders 36-hour CEASEFIRE in Ukraine to mark Christmas

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for a truce in Ukraine from noon Jan. 6 to midnight Jan. 7 to allow troops to observe the Christmas holiday Russian Orthodox

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Vladimir Putin has called for a 36-hour ceasefire in Ukraine this weekend to mark the Russian Orthodox Christmas holiday.

The truce in the war, which began nearly 11 months ago, would run from noon January 6 to midnight January 7, the Kremlin announced.

Putin did not appear to condition his ceasefire order on a Ukrainian agreement to do the same, and it was unclear whether hostilities would actually stop at the 1,100 kilometer front line (684 miles).

The Russian president's order follows a proposal by the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Cyril, earlier today.

However, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak called Kirill's call a "cynical trap and piece of propaganda".

Before December 25, President Volodymyr Zelensky had proposed a withdrawal of Russian troops, but Russia rejected it.

Vladimir Putin ordered a 36-hour ceasefire in Ukraine (

Picture:

Mikhail Klimentiev/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

Putin's order, addressed to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and published today on the Kremlin's website, states: "Based on the fact that a large number of citizens professing Orthodoxy live in combat areas, we call on the Ukrainian side to declare a ceasefire and give them the opportunity to attend services on Christmas Eve, as well as on the day of the Nativity of Christ."

Mr. Podolyak criticized the Russian president for his "hypocrisy" and said his troops should leave Ukraine.

He tweeted: "First. Ukraine does not attack foreign territory and does not kill civilians. Like RF does. Ukraine only destroys members of the occupation army on its territory ...