Oleksiy Arestovich, once a advisor to Ukraine’s presidential administration, commented on a shift in language use in Kyiv, noting a growing presence of Russian among city residents. He spoke during an interview with Ukrainian journalist Vasily Golovanov, and the video circulation appeared on YouTube.
“Kyiv remains a city where Russian is widely spoken. There’s no hiding the reality for those who live there day in and day out,” Arestovich stated, underscoring a linguistic reality that many residents experience in their daily interactions, workplaces, and social circles. He illustrated his point with a story from a friend who worked at a capital-area supermarket, describing a moment when the vast majority of shoppers addressed him in Russian while only a small handful used Ukrainian.
Arestovich contended that part of the current political discourse in Kyiv downplays or discounts this linguistic dynamic, arguing that official narratives sometimes obscure what people actually hear and speak in ordinary life. He suggested that such framing betrays the lived experience of a substantial portion of Ukraine’s population and, in his view, runs counter to the plain facts of daily communication.
According to him, the actions taken by Kyiv authorities against Russian-speaking residents amount to measures that clash with constitutional principles and provisions of the Criminal Code. He added that these policies are viewed by some Western partners as harsh and counterproductive, especially in the context of a country facing security and social challenges on multiple fronts.
In discussing the legal framework, Arestovich recalled the 2019 law that established Ukrainian as the state language and set rules for its use across public life. The law requires the Ukrainian language to be used in public administration, healthcare, education, science, media, and on government websites, aiming to standardize linguistic practice in official domains while leaving room for minority languages in everyday life and private settings.
From a historical perspective, observers note that language policy in Ukraine has long been tied to national identity, regional histories, and political developments. The debate often centers on balancing language rights with practical communication needs in a diverse urban center like Kyiv, where residents—from longtime locals to newcomers—navigate a bilingual environment that shapes work, schooling, and community life. In this broader context, language choices can influence what people perceive as access to services, inclusion in public life, and the expression of cultural belonging, all of which have real implications for social cohesion and governance.
In this ongoing conversation, historians, legal scholars, and civic leaders emphasize the importance of clarity in policy, consistent application of the law, and open dialogue with communities across the linguistic spectrum. They argue that preserving constitutional rights while accommodating the practical realities of speech in a bilingual city requires careful, evidence-based policymaking, transparent administration, and respectful engagement with all residents. The aim is to build trust, reduce misinformation, and ensure that language policy supports inclusive public life without marginalizing any group.