Cabinet resolution #670 of June 7, 2024 

Decision-maker: the Cabinet of Ministers 

Status: in effect since June 7, 2024 

Who is affected: representatives of national minorities and indigenous peoples of Ukraine 

Summary: 

  • the Cabinet approved the list of languages of national minorities and indigenous peoples of Ukraine that are at risk of extinction 
  • the following languages are included: 
    • Belarusian 
    • Gagauz 
    • Yiddish 
    • Karaim 
    • Crimean Tatar 
    • Krymchak 
    • Romani 
    • Rumeika 
    • Urum. 

What is right: to approve the list of languages of national minorities and indigenous peoples of Ukraine at risk of extinction, which should receive state support, is a requirement of Article 13 of the Law on National Minorities. 

What is wrong: the inclusion of the Belarusian language in the list is unjustified. According to the Atlas of Endangered Alphabets used by UNESCO, the Belarusian language is designated “vulnerable”, not “endangered”. 

Additional information: 

  • Ok, So What? podcast: Where do national minorities live? 
  • According to the Law explainer: The saga with the law on national minorities is over, but there are still questions 
  • According to the Law explainer: Election campaigning will be in languages of national minorities 
  • Visible project: Ukrainian Jews on national minorities policy 
  • article by Mariia Ocheretiana: The law on national minorities as an apple of discord. Why does it provoke conflicts?