Ukraine has moved its official Christmas Day state holiday from 7 January to 25 December, the latest move aimed at distancing itself from Russia.
President Volodymyr Zelensky signed into law a parliamentary bill that aimed to “abandon the Russian heritage of imposing Christmas celebrations”.
In recent years, Kyiv has been cutting religious, cultural and other ties with Russia, aligning itself with the West. This process escalated following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Mr Zelensky signed the bill on Friday – two weeks after it had been passed by Ukrainian lawmakers.
The legislation also moves another two state holidays, Day of Ukrainian Statehood, from 28 July to 15 July, and the Defenders’ Day, which commemorates armed forces veterans, from 14 October to 1 October.
Photo: People walk by a Christmas tree installed at Sofiyska Square, in Kyiv, Ukraine. EPA-EFE/OLEG PETRASYUK
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