Over Half of Ukrainians Oppose Russian as State Language – Poll

File Photo of Ukrainians with Ukrainian Flag in Public Square Near Tower with Golden Dome

(RIA Novosti – KIEV, October 16, 2013) ­ More than a half of Ukrainians are against the idea of making Russian the country’s second state language, according to a survey released by an independent Ukrainian pollster on Wednesday.

Sociological Group “Rating” said 43 percent of respondents are in favor of the idea, while 51 percent are against. Five percent said they were undecided.

Ukraine’s constitution names Ukrainian as the country’s only state language. About 50 percent of Ukrainians speak Russian, which is recognized only as a regional language in areas with the Russian-speaking majority.

The poll, conducted from September 26 to October 6, involved 2,000 respondents. The margin of error is below 2.2 percent.

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