The Verkhovna Rada explained why the Russian language was not banned in schools

A Ban on the Russian Language in schools is not permissible — neither during lessons nor breaks — as it could be seen by the European Union as a discriminatory measure and harm Ukraine’s EU integration efforts.

This was stated by Serhiy Babak, head of the Education Committee of Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada, in an interview with Ukrainian media, commenting on a new draft law.

“Given Ukraine’s aspiration to join the European Union, as well as the recommendations of the Venice Commission and the requirements of certain EU member states, we cannot, in our educational legislation, introduce a direct ban on the use of the languages of indigenous peoples and national minorities of Ukraine — including the Russian language — either in the educational process or during school breaks. Otherwise, such a provision would be regarded as discriminatory and could complicate our path toward EU membership,” Babak said.

He reminded that the current draft law proposes, alongside Ukrainian, to allow the use of minority languages that are official in EU member states — a list that does not include Russian.