During a meeting with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, Mr Putin said:
"The Orthodox Church has contributed much to cultivate patriotism and a love of the Fatherland, as well as to our spiritual values and to the history of the Russian people.
It is a centuries-old tradition that people of different faiths congratulate each other on religious holidays. We may live through difficult times, but we always congratulate each other. I am confident that today, tomorrow, and the day after, Russia's Orthodox Christians will receive many congratulations from people of other faiths. Allow me and my colleagues to send you and all Orthodox Christians our warmest wishes for a wonderful Christmas."