The United States said Friday’s attacks in eastern Ukraine demonstrated that Vladimir Putin’s announced ceasefire for Orthodox Christmas was a “cynical” step.
State Department spokesman Ned Price, recalling using that adjective to describe the Russian announcement the day before, told reporters Friday: “I think the validity of this assessment has been confirmed, given what we witnessed throughout the day”.
“Our skepticism is justified by what we have witnessed in Russia throughout this conflict,” he added.
“Our concern is that Moscow will use any cessation of fighting to re-equip, regroup and eventually strike again with more vengeance, brutality and even lethality,” he said.
Artillery duels continued on Friday in Bakhmout, the epicenter of fighting in eastern Ukraine, as well as shelling in other parts of the country.
Moscow’s announcement of this 36-hour unilateral ceasefire has been denounced as a maneuver by Kyiv and its Western allies.
Source: BFM TV
