Language Security of Ukraine Under the Conditions of Counteracting Russian Aggression: Public-Managerial Dimension

DOI: 10.46340/eppd.2025.12.3.3

Halyna Kuts, D.Sc. in Political Science
H.S. Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical University, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Volodymyr Zolotarov, PhD in Economics
V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Yurii Kuts, D.Sc. in Public Administration
V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Olena Sergeyeva, PhD in Public Administration
V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Iryna Peresypkina, PhD in Political Science
V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Kharkiv, Ukraine

How to cite: Kuts, H., Zolotarov, V., Kuts, Yu., Sergeyeva, O., & Peresypkina, I. (2025). Language Security of Ukraine Under the Conditions of Counteracting Russian Aggression: Public-Managerial Dimension. Evropský politický a právní diskurz, 12, 3, 28-40. https://doi.org/10.46340/eppd.2025.12.3.3

 

Abstract

The article examines the issue of Ukraine’s language security in the context of public administration amid the country’s opposition to Russian armed aggression. The language policy in Ukraine is reviewed, noting that it aims to establish, develop, and ensure the widespread use of Ukrainian as the state language.

The recent history of Ukraine is marked by constant attempts by pro-Russian political forces to undermine the status of the Ukrainian language as the state language. These forces have even used the «European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages», which was mistranslated.

To conceptualise the notion of «language security», a comparative analysis of the language-related provisions in four «National Security Strategies of Ukraine» (2007, 2012, 2015, 2020) has been made.

The concept of ruscism, a new totalitarian ideology defined in the Resolution of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (2023), is analysed. Attention is focused on the key features of ruscism: expansionist state policy and practices of spreading Russian language and culture among other peoples.

The dominant status of language issues in Russia’s war against Ukraine is highlighted. If the state does not adequately protect the language environment, threats to national interests can arise within this environment.

It is stated that Ukraine’s language security is an integral part of its national securityand stressed the importance of the state of protection of the state language, support of its development and functioning in all spheres of public life, strengthening its role in Ukrainian society as a means of enhancing state unity and the democratic constitutional order, alongside other vital interests of individuals, society, and the state. It also involves measures to ensure the free development, use, and protection of the languages of national minorities and the promotion of learning languages of international communication.

Keywords: language security, national security, public administration, language policy, war, Russian aggression, state, Ukraine, authority, political manipulation.

 

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