Ukraine passes minority language law, unblocking EU integration steps

The Ukrainian parliament has formally passed legislation safeguarding native-language education for national minorities, securing 266 votes in the 450-seat assembly. The new regulations govern classroom instruction and the issuance of educational certificates in minority languages, addressing long-standing disputes concerning Ukraine's Hungarian community.

The legislative approval fulfills conditions set by Budapest, which previously indicated it would permit the opening of the second and third negotiating clusters in Kyiv’s European Union accession process once the law was enacted. Beyond advancing EU integration, the reform clears the path for bilateral diplomatic progress and potential top-level talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Hungarian leadership.

Sources: 444, HVG, Telex