Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has signed into law a bill that elevates the status of the Russian language in the former Soviet republic.
Yanukovych office released a statement on August 8 saying the Ukrainian president had signed the highly controversial law on "the foundations of the state language policy."
The law greatly expands the possibilities for use of the Russian language in Ukraine, but stops short of giving it the same status as the Ukrainian language.
The move has angered many in Ukraine who view the law as weakening Ukraine's sovereignty in an attempt to curry favor with its giant neighbor Russia.
Yanukovych office released a statement on August 8 saying the Ukrainian president had signed the highly controversial law on "the foundations of the state language policy."
The law greatly expands the possibilities for use of the Russian language in Ukraine, but stops short of giving it the same status as the Ukrainian language.
The move has angered many in Ukraine who view the law as weakening Ukraine's sovereignty in an attempt to curry favor with its giant neighbor Russia.
