Russian-Ukrainian Relations

This paper examines the emerging pluricentricity of the Russian language. Since the dissolution of the USSR, Russian has been developing from a monocentric towards a pluricentric language. The different ways in which language situations in the Post-Soviet countries have evolved have played a decisive role in this process. Post-Soviet bilingualism as a global phenomenon, together with its national forms, defines the limits between pluricentricity and monocentricity in the Russian-speaking area. I will discuss how the different Post-Soviet varieties of bilingualism determine the status of Russian as a minority, an international and a pluricentric language all at the same time. My purpose is to determine the sociolinguistic factors that led to the break-through of national varieties of Russian in states like Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan.

"Institutional and legal framework of cooperation between Ukraine and neighbouring countries was created in early 1990s. By now, many of the instruments are outdated and should be revised to face the challenges of geopolitical transformations in the
region and political processes within the states.
Although Ukraine has concluded cooperation agreements with all the neighbouring
states, many sensitive issues still remain on the bilateral agenda. The spectrum ranges from border demarcation and national minorities to national and energy security.
Ten different neighbours – Belarus, Bulgaria, Hungary, Georgia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia and Turkey – different challenges; ten young authors – different views, but a common view on the need for comprehensive approach."