Russian Language Removed from Ukraine’s Minority Protection List: Zelenskyy’s Decree Explained.

Presidential Decree Strips Russian of Minority Language Status

According to UATV: On June 12, 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree removing Russian from the list of languages covered under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. This move aims to better safeguard the languages of Ukraine’s indigenous peoples and national communities.

Reactions and Implications

Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, commented on the decree, stating that

“the language of an aggressor state cannot use protection tools designed to support the languages of indigenous peoples and national communities”

“fair and logical”

The European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages was adopted in 1992, and Ukraine ratified it in 2003. The previous inclusion of Russian under the charter’s protections has now been reversed, signaling a shift in the state’s approach to language policy in light of current circumstances.

This step marks a significant milestone in shaping Ukraine’s language policy, reflecting the country’s commitment to protecting and supporting its national minorities. Amid ongoing Russian aggression, excluding Russian from legal protections underscores the Ukrainian government’s focus on promoting Ukrainian and other indigenous languages. It also mirrors broader socio-political sentiments in Ukraine, where language issues have become increasingly tied to national identity and security.