Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday ordered a cease-fire in Ukraine to observe the country's Orthodox Christmas, Russian media reported, a move immediately rejected by Kyiv.
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told the military to halt offensives for 36 hours, from noon on Friday to midnight Saturday, according to Tass and Interfax news agencies.
Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, also called for a cease-fire in Ukraine on the occasion of its Christmas, which falls on Saturday. Kirill is known for close relations with Putin and has backed the invasion of Ukraine, which began nearly a year ago.
In a statement, Putin said he decided to order the cease-fire in consideration of the patriarch's appeal, Tass said.
"Proceeding from the fact that a large number of residents in the combat zone are Orthodox Christians, we are urging the Ukrainian side to declare a ceasefire to allow them (to) attend services on Christmas Eve as well as on Christmas Day," Putin said.
Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to the head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office, spurned the proposal immediately.
Russia "must leave the occupied territories -- only then will it have a 'temporary truce,'" Podolyak said on his Twitter account.
At the United Nations, Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the world body's chief Antonio Guterres, told reporters, "The possibility that this holy period be respected with a cessation of all hostilities is always welcomed by the secretary general."
U.S. President Joe Biden downplayed Putin's order, telling reporters in Washington, "I'm reluctant to respond to anything Putin says."
"I found it interesting. He was ready to bomb hospitals and nurseries and churches" on other recent holidays, Biden said, adding, "I think he's trying to find some oxygen."
