Multilingualism as a factor of socio-political relations in a region

Introduction: the Russian state system is a rather complex and multifaceted political phenomenon due to various factors, due to the principle of multi-ethnicity, in particular. On the territory of Russia, 193 ethnic groups live without a conflict, which creates conditions for preservation and development of national identity. The analysis of the international legal acts and the legislation of the Russian Federation and its constituent entities indicates that the right of peoples to self-determination (which is also implemented through preservation of language) is one of the main tasks of the state. Materials and Methods: the paper used the general scientific methods (scientific analysis, deduction and induction) and special methods of scientific knowledge (analysis of legal documents, the comparative method). Besides, the results of sociological research done by other scientists were used as source materials. Results: the analysis of Russian federalism in terms of national identity is expressed in the preservation and strengthening of cultural characteristics, traditions, language, etc. This study exposes the official stand of the Russian Federation concerning the possibility of recognition of ethnic languages of the titular ethnic groups in a number of constituent entities of the Russian Federation along with its state language. The conclusion is drawn that it is important to timely solve the language problems in the socio-political life of the regions. Discussion and Conclusions: the legal foundation of the above mentioned phenomena is the Constitution of the Russian Federation which enshrines the principle of self-determination. The constituent entities of the Russian Federation formed on the ethnic basis have certain powers to implement the language policy, which should not infringe upon the rights of other peoples.