A lot more people in the world would study and popularize the Ukrainian language if the country's population were Ukrainian-speaking.

This opinion was expressed by the professor of linguistics of the Institute of Slavic Studies of the University of Vienna, the president of the International Association of Ukrainians Michael Moser, Radio Liberty.

"On the one hand, this is understandable. Since the Russian language is simply objective "the largest", that is, the largest number of speakers. And on the other hand, who is responsible for the fact that there are so few Ukrainians? Excuse me, it seems to me, Ukrainians are responsible for this. If Ukraine was Ukrainian-speaking, then, probably, there would be much more Ukrainians. Because when Ukraine creates such a language situation when it is necessary to know the Ukrainian language, people, of course, will study the Ukrainian language for various reasons, "explained the professor.

"I do not blame. I understand that this is connected with the past. Of course, this is a certain post-Soviet phenomenon, but it's time to change it, "he added..

According to Moser, under the influence of teachers many students choose nevertheless the Ukrainian way.

He also called strong centers of Ukrainian studies in the world.

"In North America it's the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies Studios in Edmonton, Toronto, and this is the Harvard Institute of Ukrainian Studies Studies. These centers are associated with a certain history of the Ukrainian community there. And in Europe there are small centers, "he said..

As reported by the "Observer" earlier in Lviv, firmly besieged Russian-speaking Ukrainian.

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