Russian Language Dropped by Danube Commission Starting July 2026

Danube Commission Ends Use of Russian

According to Міністерство інфраструктури: Effective July 2026, the Danube Commission has decided to completely stop using Russian as an official language. Only English and German will now serve as the organization's working languages. This change was driven by an initiative from Ukraine's Ministry of Communities and Territories Development.

Russian had been part of the Commission's operations since its founding in 1949. The new policy reflects evolving international relations and Ukraine's push to reduce the influence of the aggressor state within global bodies. The decision was the result of coordinated efforts among:

• Ukraine's Ministry of Communities and Territories Development,
• Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
• the Administration of Navigation,
• and the Embassy of Ukraine in Hungary.

The Danube Commission's full abandonment of Russian is the outcome of consistent, professional work by the Ukrainian delegation. I sincerely thank our experts who, over many months, conducted complex negotiations, sought compromises, and convinced partners to support this historic decision.

Andriy Kashuba, representative of the Ukrainian delegation

This development could mark a significant step in reshaping international relations and strengthening Ukraine's position on the world stage. Dropping Russian highlights the growing internationalization of Ukrainian policy and its drive for deeper integration into European structures-a move likely to influence the Commission's future work and regional ties among member states.

This decision follows a broader trend in which Ukraine is actively working to diminish the global presence of the Russian language. For more insights on the implications of these changes, including how President Zelenskyy's actions have contributed to the diminishing status of Russian internationally, read more about the removal of international protections for Russian.