The Russian language is stronger than Ukrainian and would become the
country's main language if it was given official status, Ukrainian
parliament Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn said on Saturday.
The new Ukrainian head of state had spoken before the election of
his intention to strengthen the status of Russian language in the
country, but on Tuesday he declared that Ukrainian should be the only
state language.
Lytvyn said on Saturday the debate on Russian being a second state language should be laid to rest.
"I am convinced that we need to put an end to the discussion of this topic," the speaker of the Verkhovna Rada said.
"We are well aware that in the present situation, if we assume
hypothetically that Russian becomes a second state language, we would
actually be left with one state language - Russian. The Ukrainian
language cannot withstand competition in the scientific sphere, in the
field of information, and in communications," the parliamentary press
service quoted Lytvyn as saying.
The speaker said the preservation of the Ukrainian language was
essential for the preservation of Ukrainian statehood, and called for
state regulations to support the development of the language.
"We need a balanced state language policy, we need an appropriate body to be the guardian of this issue," he said.
During the election campaign, Yanukovych declared that the position
of the Russian language in Ukraine should be strengthened through the
ratification of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.
Ukraine is already a signatory to the charter, which if it entered
Ukrainian law would give each region of the country the right to choose
the language used in official communication and for teaching in schools.
