What the government requires legally and what society will actually do are sometimes not the same.
As far as the language is concerned there are two distinct issues:
First, the government and (to a lesser extent) society are struggling to establish their cultural and political separation from Russia, hence the push of Ukrainian as the official language.
Second, when it comes to communication, especially for people and businesses that are moving or operating internationally, the business decision becomes one of efficiency. Simply, Russian has far more utility than Ukrainian.
There are expats pulling down $100-350K/per year who speak no Ukrainian and do not attempt to use Russian except for social pleasantries. Their companies often have English as the company standard for business and documentation requirements regardless of the local laws where they are operating. Of course the contract must be executed according to local law which sometimes requires it to be in a particular language. However, the contract and all supporting documentation must include English versions, notes, comments, etc. for understanding of other personnel who may come into contact with the client or situation. Something I find amusing is that, for the most part, the people who are so insistent that an expat MUST learn the language are generally in the lower levels of business here.
So, no - learning the Ukrainian language is not necessary. If you are intending to be buried here someday, you might want to take it up as a hobby and practical consideration since your English (assuming you are an English-speaking expat) will let you accomplish quite a bit in business and travel. But, if you intend to hang around Eastern Europe for a few years or so, picking up Russian gives you functional utility as well as some conversational options with about 250-odd million folks who don't speak Ukrainian.
Ed, Here is my 2 cents worth to the language discussion.
For Ukrainians:
Ukrainian language is official and it is being tought in the schools. The younger generation will over time help making the language more wide spread because of this. It is supported by the government and it is also a matter of national pride. The fact that Russian is widely spoken in the sreeets and elsewhere is true, but the fact is that most Ukrainians already speak both languages. Street signs etc, is also being changed to read Ukrainian. In Odessa the name change is evident in Odessa with one or two "s" - Russian vs. Ukrainian writing.
For expats in Ukraine:
To try to learn both languages are too ambitious for an expat. One have more than enough with Russian which is also more widely spoken in Eastern Europe. I agree with your recommendation that for expats, Russian language is the one to learn.
For Ukrainians and language requirement:
I still claim that it is an anticiaption that Ukrainians will speak both Russian and Ukrainian and use it appropriately in correspondence with Ukrainian authorities as now reuired, etc. Then a lot of companies would like to see useful foreign language skills too, like Polish, German, or English, etc.
Foreigners making $100K - $350K with no Russian language skills???:
The number of expats in this situation are few and far between in Ukraine. Some investment bankers would be able to make this, but even they will be at a handicap not knowing any Russian. There are so many Russians and Ukrainians living in the US or Britain who have the experience to fill such jobs in Ukraine and speak both Russian and English fluently. I think the high earners among expats who doesn't bother to learn Russian are a "dying" breed. :oThey will notice that the competition will be tougher with new bright minds taking over with multilanguage skills.
