Zelensky Signs Law Removing Russian Language from Charter Protections

Legislative Shift on Language Policy in Ukraine

According to Главком: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has officially signed Law No. 4699-IX, which strips Russian from the list of languages eligible for protections under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk confirmed the move, noting that the Verkhovna Rada approved the decision in December 2025 with 264 lawmakers voting in favor. This law effectively ends the application of the Charter's provisions to Russian within Ukraine.

"Russian has been removed from the list of languages that Ukraine covers under the Charter. This is a fair and logical decision. The language of an aggressor state cannot benefit from safeguards designed to support the languages of indigenous peoples and national communities."

Ruslan Stefanchuk

Stefanchuk further emphasized that "this decision is about dignity, justice, and Ukraine's linguistic security."

Implications for Ukraine's Language Landscape

This legislative action underscores Ukraine's firm stance on protecting its national identity and shaping language policy, particularly amid ongoing Russian aggression. By excluding Russian from the Charter's protective framework, the law is expected to bolster the status of Ukrainian as the country's primary language, potentially reshaping the linguistic dynamics within the nation.