Azarov: Christmas gives hope for better future

Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has said he associates Christmas with hopes for a better future.

"First of all, this is a day of hope, hope for a better future for us and our children, grandchildren and hope for a better future for our country and the world at large," he said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine on Christmas Eve.

"Despite the fact that little has changed in the world over these thousands of years, humanity huankind has been shaken by wars and various disasters, and yet, there is always hope that it will be our generation that changes life for the better," Azarov said.

The prime minister added that the government has focused on giving Ukrainians "a sense of reliability, stability and confidence."