Russian may be widely spoken and understood in Ukraine but, such is the state of conflict between the two countries at the moment, its use is becoming a political act.
Yuriy Romanenko, a blogger and political expert, walked off the set of a live discussion show on Ukraine's Zik Television last week, when he was asked by the host, Ostap Drozdov, to speak Ukrainian instead of Russian.
"We agreed that [you would speak] Ukrainian," Mr Drozdov said, to which Mr Romanenko responded: "Let me speak the way I want to speak."
When Mr Drozdov insisted it was a matter of principle for him, as a "Ukrainian-speaking journalist who has a certain policy in his own programme", Mr Romanenko insisted he did not want to.
"OK, then I would like to ask you to leave this studio," said Mr Drozdov.
Mr Romanenko acceded, removing his microphone and shaking hands with his host before walking off the set.
Yuriy Romanenko, a blogger and political expert, walked off the set of a live discussion show on Ukraine's Zik Television last week, when he was asked by the host, Ostap Drozdov, to speak Ukrainian instead of Russian.
"We agreed that [you would speak] Ukrainian," Mr Drozdov said, to which Mr Romanenko responded: "Let me speak the way I want to speak."
When Mr Drozdov insisted it was a matter of principle for him, as a "Ukrainian-speaking journalist who has a certain policy in his own programme", Mr Romanenko insisted he did not want to.
"OK, then I would like to ask you to leave this studio," said Mr Drozdov.
Mr Romanenko acceded, removing his microphone and shaking hands with his host before walking off the set.