Russian language status may be put to referendum, Rada should have final say, says speaker

14:24, 03.01.2013 1 min read

Verkhovna Rada Speaker Volodymyr Rybak has said that the issue of the status of the Russian language should be carefully studied by experts, including at the level of the Constitutional Assembly.

Speaking on air of Channel 5, Rybak pointed out the need to observe the Constitution, which defines Ukrainian as the state language.

However, according to him, Russian is not "a language of an ethnic minority", as almost half the population in Ukraine speaks this language.

Rybak said that the Constitutional Assembly will address the language issue taking into account opinions of experts and the public, the parliament's press service quoted speaker as saying.

The Verkhovna Rada's chairman did not rule out that some matters may be put to a referendum, but extensive awareness campaign should be conducted first.

"We may have to ask the people about the Russian language. However, the amendments to the Constitution should be passed by the parliament," Rybak summed up.