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The Ukrainian people, for the first time, are celebrating Christmas on Dec. 25 this year, as the war-torn country continues to distance itself from Russia and embraces traditions of the West.
The shift marks a further separation from Russia, which celebrates Christmas on Jan. 7. Christmas was moved to Dec. 25 in Ukraine, after President Volodymyr Zelensky signed legislation this summer making Dec. 25 a public holiday.
In a statement posted Dec. 24 to X, formerly Twitter, Zelensky noted the spiritual significance of celebrating Christmas on Dec. 25 for many Ukrainians, as the country approaches nearly two years since Russia launched its invasion.
“Today, all Ukrainians are together. We all meet Christmas together. One the same date, as one big family, as one nation, as one united country. And today our common prayer will be stronger than ever,” Zelensky said in a lengthy video on X, according to the translated captions.