Putin Orders Cease Fire, Zelensky Rejects, Calls for Russian Citizens to Oppose War

"Everyone in the world knows how the Kremlin uses respites at war to continue the war with renewed vigor," Zelensky said in an overnight address. "What is needed is the citizens of Russia…[to] find the courage to free themselves of their shameful fear of one man in the Kremlin. End the war... end your state's aggression."

[Photo Credit: Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP]

His words came just hours after Putin called on his Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to order a cease fire in recognition of Christmas in the Russian Orthodox Church, from January 6-7, which Zelensky rejected, calling it a "cynical trap" and an "element of propaganda."

"As of that day already, the number of Russian soldiers killed was almost 95,000," Zelensky said, then addressing Putin directly, "As of today, you have already lost almost 110,000 of your soldiers. The war will be over when your soldiers either leave or we drive them out."