U.S. Dismisses Putin's Declaration of Holiday Ceasefire As "Cynical

The State Department on Thursday dismissed Russia's Vladimir Putin’s call for a temporary Christmas ceasefire calling it a “cynical ploy" to rest, to refit, to regroup, and, as spokesperson Ned Price put it, "ultimately to re-attack with potentially even more vengeance, even more brutality, even more lethality if they had their way," TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

Speaking to reporters at a daily press briefing, Price made it clear that Washington had “little faith in the intentions" behind Putin's announcement, adding that Kremlin officials ”have given us no reason to take anything that they offer at face value.”

“It does not appear to be a strategic change in Russia’s plan or its approach,” he said.

Asked by TURAN's correspondent whether Putin was manipulating the West by sending out these mixed messages, Price said if that was the case, Putin "would be mistaken."

"We have essentially telegraphed exactly what we would do for President Putin. If he’s under the misimpression that we are not a coalition, that we’re not an alliance, that we’re not an international community of our word, we are going to disabuse him of that," he said.

Price's comments came as the U.S.and Germany have agreed on Thursday to send additional fighting vehicles to Ukraine, a decision that could mean Kyiv getting more powerful Western tanks in its fight against Russia.

The deal, which was detailed by the White House following the U.S.-German leardeers' phone call, means Washington will send the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, and Germany intends to provide Ukraine with Marder Infantry Fighting Vehicles.

A new U.S. weapons package for Ukraine of nearly $2.8 billion in military aid will include about 50 Bradley Vehicles. It is expected to be unveiled today.

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.