On December 3, 2025, Ukraine’s parliament took a decisive step in its ongoing linguistic and cultural transformation, voting to remove Russian from the list of languages protected under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. The move, approved by 264 members of the Verkhovna Rada, marks a significant shift in the country’s approach to language rights and national identity, especially amid the backdrop of continued conflict with Russia.
The legislation, known as Bill No. 14120, doesn’t just target Russian. It also removes the Moldovan language from protection, following Moldova’s own recognition of Romanian as its official language in 2023—a move that ended a Soviet-era distinction many saw as artificial. At the same time, the law expands protections to 18 other minority languages, including Belarusian, Bulgarian, Gagauz, Crimean Tatar, Polish, Romanian, Slovak, Urum, Romani, Hungarian, Czech, Hebrew, Modern Greek, German, Krymchak, Karaim, Yiddish, and Rumeika. According to the Ministry of Culture, these changes correct a longstanding mistranslation of the Charter’s terminology, ensuring that the focus is on languages spoken by significant numerical minorities rather than those of national minorities alone.
Language Ombudsman Olena Ivanovska, who has been a vocal advocate for the reform, hailed the decision as a restoration of historical justice. "Today we have finally restored historical justice and turned the page on years of distortions that were used for political pressure and to legitimize Russification. We have demonstrated our maturity as a European state," Ivanovska stated on December 3, as reported by The Kyiv Independent. She further emphasized that stripping Russian of its special protections would "deprive Kremlin propaganda of a tool for manipulation."
The bill was initiated by Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, reflecting a broader government push to align national legislation with European standards. The Ministry of Culture explained that previous Ukrainian translations of the Charter had relied on Russian linguistic conventions, which distorted the original intent of the European document. The English and French versions of the Charter use the term “minority” to refer to numerical minorities, not necessarily national or ethnic groups—a nuance that was lost in translation, leading to years of policy confusion.
Culture Minister Tetyana Berezhna echoed these sentiments, stating that the amendment "allows us to genuinely protect the languages that need it while strengthening Ukrainian as the state language." The law’s supporters argue that the updated approach better reflects the realities and aspirations of a country seeking to forge a cohesive, post-colonial identity. As Ivanovska had previously noted in July, "We will deeply respect all minority languages, but at the same time we will clearly and consistently shape a unified Ukrainian-language space—as a security, integration, and humanitarian priority. It is necessary to eliminate symbolic inequality in legislation, including revoking the special status of the Russian language, which, in the context of Russia’s armed aggression, is not only a means of communication but also a tool of destabilization."
The new law does not violate Ukraine’s obligations under the European Charter, according to its explanatory note. The Charter’s preamble explicitly states that protection and development of regional and minority languages should not hinder the use or promotion of official state languages. The document also acknowledges that Russian remains the most widely spoken language among national minorities in Ukraine—a legacy of centuries-long policies of Russification—but points out that Russian is not endangered and thus does not require special protection under the Charter.
The removal of Russian from the protected list comes at a time when the language remains widely spoken across Ukraine, despite the government’s efforts to promote the use of Ukrainian in public life. According to Suspilne, the law’s passage is as much about correcting a legal and historical record as it is about current linguistic realities. The Ministry of Culture’s statement from 2024 highlighted that the Russian language’s dominance was a direct result of deliberate policies to impose it on Ukraine, rather than a natural demographic phenomenon.
The issue of language has been a flashpoint in Ukraine’s modern history, often manipulated by both domestic and foreign actors. Moscow, for its part, has repeatedly cited the “protection” of Russian speakers as a justification for its military interventions in Ukraine. The new law is designed, in part, to undercut such narratives by removing the legal basis for claims of discrimination against Russian speakers, while simultaneously strengthening the country’s commitment to its European path.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Ukraine has attempted such reforms. Previous draft laws seeking to remove Russian from minority language protections were withdrawn under European pressure, as officials sought to preserve the possibility of peace agreements with Russia. However, the ongoing war and shifting European attitudes have changed the political calculus, allowing the Verkhovna Rada to move forward with the reforms.
While the law has been celebrated by many as a victory for Ukrainian sovereignty and European integration, it has also sparked debate about the balance between national unity and minority rights. Some Ukrainian citizens—especially those in eastern and southern regions—continue to use Russian in their daily lives, and there are concerns about how the new law will affect their linguistic freedoms. Nevertheless, the government has been careful to emphasize that the Charter’s protections remain robust for the other 18 recognized languages, and that the primary goal is to ensure equality and integration, not exclusion.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s language reforms are having an impact beyond its borders. In Poland, for example, a new curriculum has been launched for teaching Ukrainian as a second foreign language in secondary schools. The initiative, reported by United24 Media, allows parents to request Ukrainian language instruction for their children, reflecting the growing presence of Ukrainian communities in neighboring countries and the broader regional significance of language policy.
As Ukraine continues to navigate the complexities of war, identity, and European integration, the removal of Russian from protected minority status stands as a symbol of the country’s determination to define its own future. The decision underscores a commitment to both honoring the diverse linguistic heritage of its people and forging a unified national identity—one that is resilient in the face of external pressures and rooted in the values of equality and self-determination.
The Verkhovna Rada’s vote on December 3, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in Ukraine’s ongoing journey toward linguistic justice and national consolidation. With the legal and political landscape now altered, the country faces the challenge of ensuring that its policies foster both unity and respect for the rich tapestry of languages spoken within its borders.
