Putin orders ceasefire with Ukraine during Orthodox Christmas holiday

Russia President Vladimir Putin reportedly plans to have a ceasefire in his country's war with Ukraine in observance of Orthodox Christmas.

Putin ordered Russia Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to order the ceasefire, according to Russian media outlet RIA, reportedly after a Russian Orthodox bishop asked for the truce so people can attend services on Christmas Eve and on the day of the Nativity of Christ.

"Given the appeal of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, I instruct the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation to introduce a ceasefire regime along the entire line of contact between the parties in Ukraine," said Putin, according to the media outlet and reported by Fox News.

The ceasefire will been Friday and Saturday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has yet to publicly respond to Putin's order, but an adviser called the proposed ceasefire a "cynical trap," Fox also reports.