President of Russia Vladimir Putin has signed a decree introducing the 'Strategy of the State National Policy of the Russian Federation until 2036'. The document calls for 'taking measures to ensure that 95% of Ukraine's population becomes Russian by 2036'. It demands 'strengthening the Russian language and identity' in parts of Ukraine annexed by Moscow since its 2022 invasion. There have been strong ties between Russia and Ukraine, even before the Soviet era, and some Ukrainians used to sympathize with Russia, with most speaking both languages. However, since the start of the war, such sympathy has faded, as polls have shown.
