Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his defence minister to impose a 36-hour ceasefire on the Ukrainian front line.
The ceasefire - from 12:00 Moscow time (09:00 GMT) - coincides with the Russian Orthodox Christmas.
Mr Putin asked Ukraine to reciprocate, but Kyiv quickly rejected the request.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said the truce was an attempt to stop his country's military advances in the east of the country.
The Kremlin statement appeared to stress that President Putin ordered his troops to stop fighting not because he was de-escalating - Putin never de-escalates - but because he had listened to an appeal from the head of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Patriarch Kirill had, earlier in the day, called for a Christmas truce to allow believers to attend services for Orthodox Christmas.
Mr Putin's order called on Ukraine to reciprocate so that the "large numbers of Orthodox believers [who] reside in areas where hostilities are taking place" could celebrate Christmas Eve on Friday and Christmas Day on Saturday.
But in his nightly video address, President Zelensky said that Russia wanted to use the truce as a cover to stop Ukrainian advances in the eastern Donbas region and bring in more men and equipment.
The Russian Orthodox Church - the largest of the Eastern Orthodox Churches - celebrates Christmas Day on 7 January, according to the Julian calendar.
Some people in Ukraine celebrate Christmas on 25 December, others on 7 January. Both days are public holidays in the country.
This year, for the first time, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine said it would allow its congregations to celebrate Christmas on 25 December, as do some other denominations in western Ukraine.
The Church split with the similarly named Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in 2018.
The UOC itself was tied to Moscow's religious leadership until Russia's invasion, and some of its top clergy have been accused of still covertly supporting Moscow.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, said Moscow had repeatedly ignored President Zelensky's propositions for peace. He pointed to Russia's shelling of Kherson on 24 December and strikes on New Year's Eve as evidence of Moscow's inability to cease hostilities during religious holidays.
US President Joe Biden believes Mr Putin was simply "trying to find some oxygen".
The Kremlin's ceasefire fits in nicely with a common narrative in Moscow, one that is aimed primarily at the domestic audience. That is - that the Russians are the good guys, and it is Ukraine and the West that are threatening Russia.
The truce is also a handy tool that can be used to demonise Ukraine - as the Ukrainians have dismissed the proposal, Moscow will claim that Kyiv does not respect religious believers and has no desire for peace.
But it should not be forgotten that it was Russia who started this war by launching an unprovoked invasion of its neighbour.
The move also comes just a few days after a large number of Russian troops were killed in a Ukrainian strike on a temporary barracks in the occupied Ukrainian city of Makiivka.
The Russian defence ministry put the death toll at 89, making it the highest single loss of life admitted by Moscow since the war began.
Relatives of the dead, as well as some politicians and commentators, expressed anger over what happened in Makiivka and blamed incompetent military officials. The incident happened on New Year's Eve - the most important holiday in the Russian calendar.
Political analyst Tatyana Stanovaya says that it is possible the Kremlin wants to ensure no more major loss of life occurs on another important Russian holiday.
"Putin really does not want a repetition of that on Orthodox Christmas Day," she wrote.
A few hours after Russia's ceasefire announcement, Germany said it would follow the US in providing a Patriot air defence missile system to Ukraine. Germany also announced, in a joint statement with the US, that both countries would send armoured vehicles.
France said on Wednesday that it would send armoured fighting vehicles.
Kyiv has repeatedly called for more aid from its international allies in the face of continuing Russian aggression.

Una dey see wahala abi? Later this people will blame Russia as the bad one.

When Russia rejected their Easter and New year cease fire. Ukraine cried to the world like a little baby. Now Russia is trying to give them a chance to celebrate Orthodox Christmas in peace. Christmas devoid of bloodshed or raining misssiles. Zelensky in a bid to act tough is saying No.

I hope the world is watching....

lhordspy:
Una dey see wahala abi?

Later this people will blame Russia as the bad one.

Here you are wailing ...what happened when Ukraine requested for Easter ceasefire? Russia rejected...now that they are being battered by the Ukraine force they need some time to rest and reinforce.. using ceasefire as a means to console their loss..

You are nothing but a big clown roaming around ... It's high time you stop making silly excuses to justify Putin's incompetence..
The West are doing a great job.. we must incapacitate Russia and make them go through fire..

Just like the Israel army is dealing with and bombing your Hamas brothers to Oblivion..

We need a peaceful world not suicide bombers.. religious terrorist.. Invaders and monsters.. Boko Haram.. ISIS..
#Slava Ukraine!

lhordspy:
Una dey see wahala abi?

Later this people will blame Russia as the bad one.

After sending christmas and new year drones to attack Ukrainian civilians and infrastructures. See your reasoning. Selfish people.

lhordspy:
Una dey see wahala abi?

Later this people will blame Russia as the bad one.

Zelensky thinks Ukraine is winning the war already, so no need for a ceasefire at any point in time

joyandfaith:


After sending christmas and new year drones to attack Ukrainian civilians and infrastructures. See your reasoning. Selfish people.

That dude is not really bright..

Good, Putin can't be trusted, he has lied over and over again just to put Ukraine off guard

DaveHarry:

Zelensky thinks Ukraine is winning the war already, so no need for a ceasefire at any point in time

He thinks abi? He should continue thinking.

lhordspy:


He thinks abi? He should continue thinking.

I'm sure d west is dictating for him

But who really should be bleamed for dis decision? I think Putin. U no agree my own, u want make I agree 4 ur own.

Op pls attach a link to your post..

lhordspy:
Una dey see wahala abi? Later this people will blame Russia as the bad one.

When Russia rejected their Easter and New year cease fire. Ukraine cried to the world like a little baby. Now Russia is trying to give them a chance to celebrate Orthodox Christmas in peace. Christmas devoid of bloodshed or raining misssiles. Zelensky in a bid to act tough is saying No.

I hope the world is watching....

Did u read about almost 100 Russian soldiers killed in Russia occupied region on Jan 1st. Russia need a break not because of Christmas
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russias-defence-ministry-says-89-killed-makiivka-blames-use-mobile-phones-2023-01-03/

FERNANDEZISBACK:

Here you are wailing ...what happened when Ukraine requested for Easter ceasefire? Russia rejected...now that they are being battered by the Ukraine force they need some time to rest and reinforce.. using ceasefire as a means to console their loss..

You are nothing but a big clown roaming around ... It's high time you stop making silly excuses to justify Putin's incompetence..
The West are doing a great job.. we must incapacitate Russia and make them go through fire..

Just like the Israel army is dealing with and bombing your Hamas brothers to Oblivion..

We need a peaceful world not suicide bombers.. religious terrorist.. Invaders and monsters.. Boko Haram.. ISIS..
#Slava Ukraine!

And they said they would capture Ukraine in 30seconds oo
This matter don dey weak alagidi Putin

ablejesus26:


And they said they would capture Ukraine in 30seconds oo
This matter don dey weak alagidi Putin

Lol.. it's almost a year now.. dude is tired...

Ukraine should never agree at all.They dare not, because Russia is gradually getting outwitted and flagged out, and desperately looking for a way to replenish their exhausted war time resources.Ukraine should continue battering them relentlessly till they pull out of the Ukrainian territory entirely.The other time last year, Ukraine was asking for a truce,but Russia refused.Now it's Ukraine's turn to refuse.