Language Threatens To Split Ukraine

Deputies scuffle during a session in the chamber of the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev May 24, 2012 (Reuters/Stringer)

Row Over Status Of Russian Language Threatens To Split Ukraine -- The Guardian

Deputies brawl in parliament over ruling party's plan to upgrade official role of Russian language

Ukraine's ruling party has triggered violent protests with a move to upgrade the official role of the Russian language, a sensitive issue in the former Soviet republic and one that opponents say will effectively split the country.

A draft law by President Viktor Yanukovich's Regions party rekindled an emotional debate in Ukraine. Russian is the mother tongue of most people in the east and south of the country, while Ukrainian – the state language – predominates in parts of the centre and in the west.

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More News On The Unrest In Ukraine

Lawmakers block Ukraine Parliament day after brawl breaks out -- FOX News/AP
Scuffle in Ukraine’s Parliament Thwarts Language Bill Consideration -- RIA Novosti
Short for words: Ukrainian MPs trade punches over language bill (VIDEO) -- RT
Brawl erupts in Ukraine parliament over Russian language bill -- The Telegraph
Ukrainian Opposition Blocks Parliament on Russian Language Bill -- Bloomberg
Language no barrier to violence -- Sydney Morning Herald
Tymoshenko Slams Russian-Ukrainian Equal Language Status Proposal -- RIA Novosti

My Comment: I am biased on this case .... my nationality is Russian and my father grew up in the Ukraine. The issue of language .... specifically denying rights to a fifth of the population that are Russian .... never made sense to me. Unfortunately for Ukraine .... this is a step towards more turmoil and laying the groundwork for the possible succession of major parts of the country back to Russia.

On a side note .... the children of my cousins want to leave and immigrate to the West .... just in the past month the son and daughter of my cousin in Kiev asked me for info on immigrating to Canada.