Since the war in Ukraine began, many have argued that the Ukrainian capital Kyiv should be spelled out.

Partly as a symbolic support for the country, but also because that is how it would be translated (transliterated) from Ukrainian today.

Changed spelling has also been an official request from Ukraine.  

Now the issue has also reached the Riksdag and the government.

To a written question from Björn Söder (SD), Foreign Minister Ann Linde (S) answers that they will continue to use the current spelling, as the name is accepted in the Swedish language: 

In the Swedish language, Kyiv is the Swedish name for the capital of Ukraine.

The name is well established and accepted.

The place name is transliterated Kyiv from Ukrainian and Kiev from Russian. "

She further refers to the Authorities' writing rules, at the same time as she emphasizes that they follow how general language use develops.

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Kyiv, Kyiv or Kyjiv - what is the real name of Ukraine's capital?

Photo: SVT