China News Service, January 6th reported that on the 5th local time, Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed the Russian army to implement a ceasefire on the entire contact line of the special military operation zone from 12:00 on January 6 to 24:00 on January 7, and called for The Ukrainian side also imposed a ceasefire, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected it.
At the same time, the U.S. side continued to "raise the fire". The U.S. State Department spokesman Price said that the U.S. "does not believe" the intention behind the ceasefire proposed by Russia.
Data map: Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on the 5th that according to President Vladimir Putin's instructions, a 36-hour ceasefire order has been conveyed to the troops.
The Kremlin said that in view of the fact that there are a large number of people who believe in the Orthodox Church living in the special military operation area, they called on the Ukrainian side to also implement a ceasefire and give believers the opportunity to conduct religious activities during the Orthodox Christmas period.
Ukraine did not buy into Putin's appeal.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he does not think it is necessary to cease fire during the traditional holiday, and that Russia "want to use Christmas as a cover" to prevent the Ukrainian army from launching a counterattack and take the opportunity to deliver equipment and ammunition.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba said on Twitter that the "unilateral ceasefire" proposed by Russia should not be taken seriously.
Podolyak, an adviser to the Ukrainian President's Office, also posted on social media that a "temporary truce" is only possible if the Russian army leaves Ukrainian territory.
Ukraine's National Security and Defense Affairs Council secretary Danilov said Ukraine would not hold any talks with Russia on an Orthodox Christmas ceasefire.
The United States is continuing to "fire".
U.S. State Department spokesman Price said the U.S. "does not believe" the intentions behind Russia's proposed ceasefire.
U.S. President Joe Biden said the Ukrainian crisis "is at a critical stage, and we should do everything we can to help Ukrainians."
Biden believes that Russia is "trying to find some oxygen (referring to a respite)."
Regarding Biden's remarks, Pushkov, a member of the Russian Federation Council (the upper house of parliament), said, "Biden once again confirmed that the United States and the entire West are fighting Russia indirectly in Ukraine."
Russia's first deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, Polyansky, also commented on social media that the Kyiv authorities are willing to sacrifice their own people and country "for the Western geopolitical game".
The United Nations expressed its welcome to any efforts to end the conflict, "Christmas is a sacred time for Russians and Ukrainians. The Secretary-General of the United Nations welcomes the cessation of all hostilities to show respect for this sacred period."