Language /
Polish/Ukrainian words similarities [209]
And in contrast to them, Polish students studying in Lviv, with whom I have had chance to talk, can speak almost impeccable Ukrainian after having stayed in Lviv only for 1 year and even if the language of instruction is English.
Seems to me like these students are simply respectful to their host country as well as naturally curious, which comes with the territory of being a student abroad.
As for Russians, well, probably a mix of their natural expectation that everyone can speak Russian, as well as their widely held belief that Ukraine is just some slightly confused part of Russia, where people speak funny, which ,really, they shouldn't - best they stop whatever they're doing and just be Russian, coz life is too short not to..? And seeing the official rhetoric coming from Russia as regards Ukraine, one that hasn't really changed since the time immemorial, I doubt it will be easy for an average Russian to shake off that deep-seated sense of ownership.
