[A. Pole]

He is missing one important point. In Russian Orthodox Christian Church there is no christmas tree. Russians use the yolka, the decorated fur tree on New Year's, NOT on Christmas.

I was wondering myself about that. Thank you.

[DTA]

>>>>>Perhaps it means nothing.<<<<<<

Exactly. Fir tree is not part of Orhodox Christmas and Putin is neither RC nor Protestant.

The Russian Orthodox Church uses White Oak in Christmas celebration by swinging branches with burning leaves into the sky as a reminder of the star the three wise men followed.