Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his defence minister to impose a 36-hour ceasefire on the Ukrainian frontline, beginning on Friday.
The ceasefire, scheduled to start at 12:00 midnight Moscow time, which will coincide with the Russian Orthodox Christmas.
Putin asked Ukraine to reciprocate, but Kyiv immediately rejected the request.
Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said: “Keep hypocrisy to yourself.”
Mr Putin’s order followed an appeal from Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, on This morning.
Kirill asked “all the parties involved” in the conflict to “cease fire and establish a Christmas truce”.
According to the Julian Calender, The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas Day on 7 January.
Mr Putin cited the patriarch’s appeal as motivation for the ceasefire order.
