Ukrainian Commentator Challenges Putin's Language Demands

Ukraine's Language Debate: A Response to Putin's Demands On May 28th, 2025, Mykola Davyduk, a prominent Ukrainian commentator, released a video addressing Vladimir Putin's demand for the Russian language to be recognized in Ukraine. The video, filmed in what appears to be Davyduk's home in the Czech Republic, highlights the hypocrisy of Putin's demand. Davyduk argues that within Russia itself, the Russian language isn't dominant in many regions. "In Siberia," he states, "Russian isn't even the majority language in many settlements." This assertion directly challenges Putin's narrative of protecting Russian speakers in Ukraine. The video's strength lies in its directness and passionate appeal to self-determination. Davyduk doesn't shy away from strong language, but his message remains clear: Ukraine has the right to determine its own linguistic landscape. He concludes, "We will use the languages we choose; it's our right." This assertion underscores the core of Ukraine's resistance to external pressures.