New draft law may return Russian language - Vyatrovych

New bill could bring Russian back into the service and science sectors

People's Deputy Vladimir Viatrovich said. State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience sent for approval a draft law that could actually return the Russian language to the sphere of services, science and education.

He said this in his Facebook, citing data from NGOs that have reviewed the draft document.

«Under the guise of “protecting the rights of national minorities”, it is proposed to strengthen the role of the Russian language - in the service sector, science, education, at conferences and even in state institutions,» Vyatrovych said.

The essence of the document

According to the MP, the draft law provides for “expanding opportunities for the use of national minority languages”, but in fact restores the privileged status of the Russian language, This may contradict the Law of Ukraine “On Ensuring the Functioning of the Ukrainian Language as the State Language”.

The draft law deals, in particular, with permission to use Russian in educational materials, scientific publications and public events, if “it is necessary for communication”.

Public reaction

Ukrainian civil society organisations have already expressed severe anxiety document and called on the government to withdraw it from consideration.
Experts believe that the adoption of such a law will a step backwards in language policy, especially in the context of the war with Russia.

Vyatrovich himself stated that initiates a deputy appeal to the Cabinet of Ministers and the relevant committee of the Verkhovna Rada to verify the circumstances of the project development.