BLUF

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed into law a parliamentary bill that moves its official Christmas Day state holiday from 7 January to 25 December, in a move to distance itself further from Russia.

Summary

KEY POINTS:
  • The Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) has also switched to celebrating Christmas on 25 December.
  • Kyiv has been gradually cutting religious, cultural and other ties with Russia, aligning itself with the West.
  • Many Ukrainian cities and villages have renamed streets linked to Russian and Soviet historical figures.

References