Today, on 26 June, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the law on the status of the English language in Ukraine (draft law 9432), according to the bill's card on the Verkhovna Rada's website.
The document establishes the status of English as one of the languages of international communication in Ukraine. It also defines the categories of positions for which candidates are required to speak English, and regulates the specifics of using English in the work of government agencies, local governments, education, culture, transport, healthcare, etc.
The government will also have to reimburse cinemas for English-language screenings. At the same time, the number of such screenings cannot exceed 10% per month.
In addition, the law stipulates that civil servants of categories "A", "B" and "C" (the latter two are listed by the government), heads of regional state administrations, their first deputies and deputies, officers serving under contract (the list will be established by the government) are required to speak English, mid-level and senior police officers of the National Police (according to the government's list), heads of other law enforcement agencies, civil protection agencies, prosecutors, tax and customs officials (according to the government's list) and heads of public sector entities (also according to the government's list).
At the same time, the English language requirement will not be applied during the martial law period. Employees will have two to four years to learn English after the end of martial law.
Information about cultural events, archival documents, museum exhibits must have an ENG version. This will take 2 years.
The law also stipulates that
- information at train stations, bus stations, airports, and in some types of transport must be duplicated in English - this will take two years after the law comes into force
- the use of English for education in kindergartens and other pre-school institutions for children. This provision will come into force in September 2026
- Within four years of the end of martial law, government employees with a B2 or higher English level will receive a 10% raise
Last year in June, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted to parliament draft law No. 9432 "On the Use of English in Ukraine". Its main goal is to increase the level of English proficiency among Ukrainians. Article 9 of the draft law regulates the use of English in the cultural sector, including film distribution. It was envisaged that starting from 2025, 50% of English-language films would be screened in the original language with Ukrainian subtitles, and in 2027, such screenings would cover 100% of English-language films. However, this amendment has drawn criticism from the industry and society at large.
Taras Kremin, the Commissioner for the Ukrainian Language, also spoke out against restrictions on Ukrainian dubbing.
In July last year, the relevant committee supported the draft law without including the controversial provisions on restricting Ukrainian cinema. In November, the Verkhovna Rada adopted it as a basis, but it has not yet reached the second reading.
In April of this year, Viatrovych said that the committee might return an amendment to reintroduce the rejected restrictions on Ukrainian dubbing of films. However, the committee meeting was cancelled.