You're reading: RIA Novosti: Lytvyn warns Russian could take over as national language

The Russian language is stronger than Ukrainian and would become the country's main language if it was given official status, Ukrainian parliament Speaker Volodymyr Lytvyn said on Saturday. The question of Ukraine giving official status to the Russian language has become a matter for heated debate since Viktor Yanukovych was elected president in February on the back of strong support in the mainly Russian-speaking east of the country. Read the story here: