Adoption of the Law “On Ensuring the Functioning of Ukrainian as the State Language” is one of the brightest demonstrations of gentle Ukrainization. This opinion was expressed during an interview with "Focus" by the State Language Protection Commissioner Taras Kremin.

“Adoption of the Law “On Ensuring the Functioning of Ukrainian as the State Language” which was passed in the 28th - 28th! - year of Ukrainian independence, is one of the brightest demonstrations of gentle Ukrainization", - he said.

Taras Kremin reminded that the Law had come into force on July 16, 2019, and some articles continue to be implemented every six months. "Indeed, Article 30, which guarantees providing of information and services in the state language, has come into force only on January 16 this year, and Ukrainian language exams for civil service applicants are to start on July 16", - the Commissioner noted.

Taras Kremin pointed out that people like that they started to be addressed in Ukrainian - in banks and supermarkets. Officials also began communicating in the state language much better. According to him, certainly, there are also some problems “that are represented in our monthly reports. For the first quarter of this year we have got 1129 appeals – this demonstrates that the citizens do their best to assist noticing and recording violations of the language legislation”.

“Our applicants are mainly the residents of regional centers. The city of Kyiv is among the leaders where 327 violations were recorded, at the same time no appeals were received from rural areas. This confirms that people speak Ukrainian there. I communicate with my relatives from Zakarpattia regularly, it is especially interesting to know what is happening in the Berehovo district. And I can say that there are no problems with compliance with language legislation there", - the Commissioner told.    

“The Ukrainian language is used in the field of education, in local government bodies, in the sphere of housing services. Concerning personal communication, people determine for themselves which language it is more convenient for them to speak”, - he stressed.