Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed law No. 4699-IX, officially removing the Russian language from the list of languages protected under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. Announced by Verkhovna Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk on June 12, the legislation formally excludes Russian and a non-existent Moldovan language from the state’s protection framework for national communities.
The signed law had been awaiting presidential approval for more than six months, following its initial passage by the Verkhovna Rada in early December 2025.
Why the change was implemented
According to Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk, the law serves to protect the Ukrainian linguistic landscape and fulfill European obligations by removing “imperial influence.” Stefanchuk stated that the language of an “aggressor state” cannot be afforded the same protections designed for indigenous peoples and national communities. The measure is framed by officials as a necessary step for national dignity and linguistic security.
By removing Russian from the Charter, the government is effectively narrowing the legal definition of protected minority languages to exclude the primary language of the current conflict. This signals a shift toward prioritizing internal language preservation over the previous, broader adherence to European regional language standards.
What comes next for linguistic policy
The implementation of law No. 4699-IX marks the conclusion of a lengthy legislative process aimed at refining how Ukraine applies the European Charter. Because the Charter was originally created to support languages under threat or those with small speaker populations, the exclusion of Russian may lead to further adjustments in how state agencies categorize and support minority languages. Future actions are likely to focus on ensuring that remaining protections align exclusively with the needs of recognized national communities as defined by this updated legal framework.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages?
The Charter was established to provide support for languages that are considered endangered or are spoken by small numbers of people within a state.
Which languages were removed from the protection list?
The law removes Russian and a non-existent Moldovan language from the list of languages covered by the European Charter in Ukraine.
When was this legislation passed by the Verkhovna Rada?
The Rada passed the law in early December 2025, after which it remained pending presidential signature for over six months.
How do you think this change will influence the ongoing discussion regarding cultural diversity in Ukraine?
Worth a look