Language Policy in Ukraine in the Context of European Integration

Abstract

Since 1991 when Ukraine attained its independence, the Ukrainian language status has become a critical issue. The annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea in 2014 threatened the very existence of the Ukrainian language on the peninsula. Following russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the language issue has become a matter of national security. The article outlines the key trends in the implementation of language policy in Ukraine. It discusses the key legal provisions of the functioning of the Ukrainian language as a state language and minority languages, among which are the Constitution of Ukraine, the laws of Ukraine "On National Security", "On Education", and "On National Minorities in Ukraine". Special focus is given to the new "Law on Ensuring the Functioning of the Ukrainian Language as a State Language" ("Language Law") which establishes the state status of the Ukrainian language, making it mandatory for state authorities and local self-government bodies, throughout Ukraine. The implementation of the effective state language policy must be directed at the protection of national interests, it has to guarantee the safety of an individual, society, and state from external and internal threats in all spheres of life. The question of the formation of legal regulation of the state language policy is essential for every state. Given the fact that the linguistic diversity of Ukraine resonates with the multilingualism of the European Union, as well as the EU candidate status granted to Ukraine on June 23, 2022, the expertise of the European Union in dealing with language issues has gained even more importance. The article describes how different European countries apply different models of the legal regulation of the official (state) language status. It analyses the European experience in the advancement of official (state) and minority languages and showcases the steps regarding the implementation of the recommendations of the Venice Commission in the context of EU integration.