Concerns that Russia seeks to use ceasefire to launch new attack are true - State Department

He told reporters about this on Friday, January 6.

"We were sceptical about Russia's statements about the so-called ceasefire. You heard me say yesterday that we consider President Putin's call for a Christmas truce as nothing but cynicism. I think this assessment has been confirmed, given what we have seen today during the day (January 6 - ed.)," he said.

He reminded that Russia had previously resorted to cynical calls for the so-called humanitarian ceasefire, in particular in Mariupol, and immediately violated it.

According to the State Department spokesman, Putin could have an "ulterior motive" in making such statements:

"We are concerned that Moscow will seek to use any potential pause in the fighting to rearm, regroup and ultimately attack again."

• The US, Germany and the European Council reacted to the statements of the Russian Federation about the ceasefire for Christmas, noting that Putin wants a break.