Russia-Ukraine updates: Putin suspends key US-Russia nuclear treaty

Germany plans to provide Ukraine with a Patriot air defense battery, the White House confirmed Thursday.

The United States agreed last month to send the first Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine to protect the country against Russia’s ongoing missile and drone attacks targeting its critical infrastructure.

The development came as President Joe Biden spoke by phone Thursday with German Chancellor Olaf Scholtz about the ongoing war.

The White House also said it would send Bradley infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine. Germany agreed to send Marder infantry fighting vehicles, according to the White House.

"They (Germany) reiterated their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence," the White House said in a statement. "They reaffirmed their unwavering solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in the face of Russia’s aggression."

-ABC News' Matt Seyler and Ben Gittleson

President Joe Biden said Thursday that he is skeptical of Russian President Valdimir Putin's proposal for a cease-fire during the Orthodox Christmas holiday, suggesting it was a ploy to find some breathing room in the war with Ukraine.

"I'm reluctant to respond to anything Putin says," Biden said.

Biden made the comments in response to a reporter's question following unrelated remarks at the White House about the U.S.-Mexico border.

"I found it interesting. He was ready to bomb hospitals and nurseries and churches," said Biden, referring to Russian missile strikes on Ukraine on Dec. 25 and over the New Year's Day holiday. "I think he's trying to find some oxygen."

-ABC News' Ben Gittleson

Russian President Valdimir Putin has called for a temporary cease-fire in the war with Ukraine to observe Orthodox Christmas, according to the Kremlin.

Putin proposed a cease-fire beginning at noon on Friday and ending at midnight Saturday, according to the Kremlin. Orthodox Christmas Day is on Saturday.

Putin instructed his minister of defense, Sergei Shoigu, to introduce the ceasefire along the entire line of contact between the warring countries in Ukraine during the holiday.

The Kremlin said the truce is being called for with "Christian love, true faith and crystal truthfulness."

There was no immediate response from Ukraine on whether its forces would abide by the truce.

On the eve of the Orthodox Christmas, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia called for the establishment of a Christmas truce in the zone of military activities.

"I, Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, appeal to all parties involved in the internecine conflict to cease fire and establish a Christmas truce from 12.00 on January 6 to 24.00 on January 7, so that Orthodox people can attend services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day," the patriarch said in a statement, published on Thursday on the website of the Russian Orthodox Church.

-ABC News' Tanya Stukalova