Russian Orthodox Church leader calls for ceasefire, Ukraine says it’s ‘propaganda’

Adviser to the Ukrainian presidential office, Mikhail Podolyak, argued that the call by the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, for a ceasefire in Ukraine during the Orthodox Christmas period of January 6-7 was propaganda. Podolyak, on his Twitter account, assessed the call for a ceasefire in Ukraine during the Orthodox Christmas period.

Podolyak accused the Russian Orthodox Church of urging Russia to commit genocide against Ukrainians and inciting mass murder, arguing that the church supports further militarization of Russia. “Therefore, the statement of the Russian Orthodox Church on the Christmas truce is a cynical trap and a propaganda item,” Podolyak said.

Patriarch Kirill, in his statement, called for a ceasefire in Ukraine during the Orthodox Christmas period. Patriarch Kirill stated that the ceasefire should be implemented from noon on January 6 to the evening of January 7, so that the Orthodox can attend ceremonies in churches. (AA)