U.N. chief would welcome Ukraine truce, does not replace a ‘just peace’ - spokesman

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres would welcome any truce in Ukraine during Orthodox Christmas, "knowing that this will not replace a just peace in line with the U.N. Charter and international law," a U.N. spokesman said on Thursday.

Ukraine spurned an announcement by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday of a 36-hour ceasefire to mark Orthodox Christmas, saying there would be no truce until Russia withdraws its invading forces from occupied land.