Search results

Discusses government effort to build Ukrainian identity either in a political state embracing ethnic Ukrainians and minorities or in an ethnically-based state; focuses on impact of controversy over de facto use of both Ukrainian and Russian languages on formation of a modern Ukrainian identity.

Rather than viewing differences between ethnic minorities as the primary obstacle to establishing a Ukrainian nation, it is asserted that determining whether an ethnic- or state-based notion of the nation should be employed is the principle hindrance. The problems facing the Crimean Tatar community in the Ukraine & the prospects for the proliferation of radicalism among the community are discussed. Although ethnic minorities are not openly discriminated against, it is noted that the Ukrainian constitution has assigned official status to the Ukrainian language while not officially recognizing Russian as a national language. Moreover, the difficulties presented by Central & East Ukrainian communities to preserve the exclusive use of Russian language for achieving nationhood are addressed. Despite these problems, it is maintained that the long-standing existence of a subject political culture is the primary obstacle to creating a Ukrainian civil society. 1 Table. J. W. Parker

Contrary to Putin's expectations, most Ukrainians responded to Russia's full-blown invasion of Ukraine by a stronger attachment to their country and nation. One element of this attachment is an embrace of the national language at both the symbolic and communicative levels. Not only did Ukrainians come to love their language more than before, but they also started to speak it more often in their everyday lives. Or so they say.