Putin Orders Ceasefire In Ukraine For Orthodox Christmas 

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine on Orthodox Christmas, celebrated this week by both countries.<br />The announcement comes following a request for a ceasefire during the religious holiday from Russia’s 76-year-old Orthodox leader Patriarch Kirill. <br />The Kremlin says “Given the fact that a large number of citizens professing Orthodoxy live in the areas of combat, we call on the Ukrainian side to declare a ceasefire and give them the opportunity to attend church services on Christmas Eve, as well as on the Day of the Nativity of Christ.