The EU considers that the Russian ceasefire in Ukraine is “not credible”

The boss of the european diplomacyJosep Borrell, branded this Friday as “hypocritical” and “unbelievable” the ceasefire announced by Russia in the war in Ukraine ahead of Orthodox Christmas Day.

“The Kremlin has no credibility and this declaration of a ceasefire is not credible,” Borrell told reporters during a visit to Fez, Morocco.

“The response that comes to all of our heads is skepticism in the face of so much hypocrisy,” he added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Thursday that his army would hold a ceasefire on “the entire line of contact between the sides in Ukraine.” during the 6th and 7th of Januarywhich represents the first truce since the start of the Russian invasion on February 24.

Despite this announcement, artillery duels took place on Friday.

Borrell said that for the ceasefire to be valid “there must be a complete cessation of military attacks. There must be a withdrawal of (Russian) troops and their military materiel from Ukrainian territory.”

“In the absence of concrete measures, a unilateral ceasefire seems more like an attempt by Russia to buy time and try to restore its international reputation, which has been badly damaged,” said the head of European diplomacy.

Borrell concluded a two-day official visit to Morocco on Friday, a country accused by the media of being involved in a corruption scheme in the European Parliament, similar to that of “Qatargate”.

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