Anastasiya Prikhodko criticises pressure over language use

Singer Anastasiya Prikhodko said she respects Ukrainian and recognises its importance as the state language while continuing to speak Russian. In an interview with Nataliya Vlashchenko, she linked language disputes to political manipulation.

Lenta.ru, OBOZ.UA and Vzglyad reported excerpts on October 10. Prikhodko expressed a wish to restore the public unity she believes existed at the beginning of the war in 2022.

She argued that using language as a tool of political pressure had caused disputes between people who had been friends for years. At the same time, she acknowledged the primacy of the state language and expressed respect for Ukrainian.

Prikhodko explained her continued use of Russian as a refusal to participate in what she regards as political manipulation. These statements reflect her personal assessment of the public dispute.

She represented Russia at Eurovision in 2009. Since 2014, she has criticised Russian authorities and supported Ukraine. Her latest comments concern language use and do not by themselves establish a change in that political position.