Victor Yushchenko called on Ukrainian politicians to end speculative discussions about the status of the Russian language during his meeting with Crimea’s leadership on Thursday, according to the President`s press-office.
The President said there was no such term as regional language in Ukraine’s constitution. He believes we should speak about how to use minority languages, not about their status.
“The status will not help resolve this problem but will result in a political standoff,” he said.
Mr. Yushchenko described the Ukrainian language as a foundation of the nation’s integrity. He said the Ukrainian constitution, whose language provisions are “clearly European,” says the only state language in Ukraine is Ukrainian.
“Minority languages, Russian in particular, are given conditions for development by the state,” he said.
The President asked politicians to adhere to the country’s language laws. Otherwise, he said, it will lead to misunderstandings which are used by those politicians who not want to see Ukraine united.
