No need to single out Russian among other minority languages in Constitution - MP

Historian, member of the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Humanitarian and Information Policy Volodymyr Viatrovych expressed this opinion in an interview with Ukrinform.

He noted that the appearance of the Russian language as separated in Article 10 of the Constitution was obviously a "tribute to the political situation of 1996", when it was adopted. Vyatrovych stated that at that time, for a large part of politicians, speaking Russian was a tool for mobilizing voters, which is why they publicly defended this narrative.

"I believe that there is absolutely no need to single out the Russian language in the Constitution. The Ukrainian state is not going to further develop the Russian language in any way or, on the contrary, to further oppress it. There should remain one state language in Ukraine, but Ukraine provides opportunities for the development of minority languages without harming Ukrainian language. I see no need for the further existence of such a provision in the Constitution. I think that it will naturally come to the point that the clause regarding special attention to the Russian language will simply disappear," the politician emphasized.

Viatrovych drew attention to the fact that this part of the Constitution has always been speculated upon. However, he expressed his conviction that in reality it carries no special political meaning. "This is a tribute to a political compromise. The constitution is, in one way or another, a product that reflects the political situation of the period when it was adopted," the People's Deputy added.

Memo: Article 10 of the Constitution of Ukraine guarantees the protection of the languages of national minorities, while Russian is singled out. This part is often used for manipulation, including by Russian propagandists.