Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed legislation stripping Russian of its protected language status within the country. The law effectively ends official support and guarantees previously afforded to the Russian language. While a significant portion of Ukraine’s population historically spoke Russian, its usage has declined since the start of the Russian invasion. Zelenskyy stated that the language of the aggressor state cannot benefit from protections designed for indigenous languages and minority groups. The move is a symbolic but significant step further distancing Ukraine from Russia. Ukrainian media widely reported the signing on Friday, highlighting the shift in language policy amid ongoing conflict. The legislation aims to prioritize and protect the Ukrainian language and national identity.