Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and his wife Maryna have wished Ukrainians Merry Christmas.

"Christmas means the birth of hope for salvation, hope for peace, hope for justice. This is a spiritual holiday, but it is also a state holiday, it is people's holiday (...) For more than a thousand years, we Ukrainians have celebrated this day in special way. We keep our customs," the Christmas greeting by Poroshenko posted on the president's website reads.

The president urged Ukrainians wherever they celebrate this holiday to remember those who defend our country and to pray for them, asking God to give them health and strength.