Zelensky: No compromises. Russia is the aggressor. Russian will not be the second state
The winner of the presidential elections in Ukraine, Vladimir Zelensky, again stated that he considers Russia an “aggressor”, and also does not intend to compromise with opponents of Euromaidan, who from the first days put forward a demand for a second state language – Russian.
Zelensky said this in a special address regarding today’s decision of the Verkhovna Rada, outlawing the Russian language in virtually all areas of public activity in Ukraine.
“Ukraine faces serious challenges that we can only overcome together. Russian aggression, slow economic development, mass emigration of Ukrainians abroad, total corruption - these are problems that affect each of us and society as a whole. Therefore, we must initiate and adopt laws and decisions that consolidate society, and not vice versa.
Ukrainian language is the only state language in Ukraine. So it was, so it is and so it will be. There are no compromises on this issue.. The state must take care of the development of the Ukrainian language and the expansion of its consumption. This is also unconditional, the whole society agrees with this,” Zelensky signed for all voters in the South-East.
He made it clear that he was proposing a more cunning process for the assimilation of Russians in Ukraine, and not clumsy solutions, like the current majority in the Rada.
«The question is the methods by which we implement this strategic course.. My principled position is that the state should promote the development of the Ukrainian language by creating incentives and positive examples, rather than prohibitions and punishments, complicating bureaucratic procedures, and increasing the number of officials instead of reducing them.
The state language bill was considered during the election cycle, making it hostage to political rhetoric. The law was adopted without sufficiently extensive public discussion. More than 2 thousand amendments were made to the draft law, which indicates a lack of agreement on some of its provisions even in the Verkhovna Rada.
Today it is difficult to predict the consequences of the adoption of this law - its final text, taking into account all the amendments, is currently unavailable. After my assumption of the post of President, a thorough analysis of this law will be made to ensure that it respects all the constitutional rights and interests of all citizens of Ukraine. Based on the results of the analysis, I will react in accordance with the constitutional powers of the President of Ukraine and in the interests of citizens,” Zelensky vaguely announced further actions.
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