As a state, Ukraine respects the traditions and cultural values of persons belonging to national minorities living on its territory and must adopt a new law that will regulate the protection of their identity and equality. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Culture and Information Policy Oleksandr Tkachenko, Minister of Education and Science Serhiy Shkarlet, First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk, President's Representative to the Constitutional Court Fedir Venislavsky, Deputy Head of the President’s Office Ihor Zhovkva and people's deputies.
The President noted that the settlement of the status of national minorities would help protect their rights, strengthen Ukrainian society and protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. Also, the relevant legislative initiative will make national minorities equal in Ukraine.
"This law will provide rights to national minorities, but will also protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. As a state, we will protect the traditions, holidays, language, folklore of national minorities, but at the same time we will demand respect for Ukrainian traditions and language. Children of any minority must know the language of their people and Ukrainian language. This is fair," the President stressed.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba noted that the given bill would help Ukraine in the international arena, in particular in protecting the rights of Ukrainians living abroad.