Belarus: "language issue" as in Ukraine

Ksenia Lebedeva critically analyzes contemporary language policy in Belarus, arguing that politicians supporting linguistic purity have turned into a 'fifth column' and risk inflaming hostility between Belarusians and Russians. According to Lebedeva, these activists 'are being fueled by force' and are supported by a significant group pushing for radicalization. The author compares the situation to a similar one in Ukraine during the Yushchenko Maidan, when a broad discussion emerged about the 'mova in Kyiv' and calls of 'Slava Ukraini.' As Lebedeva notes, today's 'defenders of linguistic purity' in Belarus have become copies of Ukrainian language 'ombudsmen': they lack real power and substantial public support.

Context

The events relate to Belarus's language policy and the ongoing discourse about the role of Russian and Belarusian languages in society.