Zelenskyy Signs Law Removing Protected Status for Russian Language in Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a new law that revokes Russian's protected language status in Ukraine. The move, reported by Ukrainian media, signifies a further step in distancing the country from Russian influence following the full-scale invasion. While Russian is still spoken by a portion of the population, its use has declined significantly since the conflict began, according to AFP.

The Ukrainian government justified the decision by stating that the language of an aggressor nation cannot utilize protective measures designed for indigenous languages and national minority communities. This legislation aims to bolster the status of the Ukrainian language and other indigenous tongues within the country.

The law's enactment is a clear signal of Ukraine's ongoing efforts to assert its cultural and linguistic sovereignty amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. It underscores a broader societal shift away from Russian cultural dominance.

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The language of the aggressor state cannot use the protective tools created to support the languages of indigenous peoples and national minorities.