The minister has underlined, refuting Russian propaganda claims, that in no way does the new law mandate the Ukrainian language in private communication.
Minister of Culture and Information Policy Oleksandr Tkachenko says the purpose of the latest amendments to the law "On ensuring the functioning of the Ukrainian language as the state language", which came into force on January 16, 2021, is to introduce a culture of communication in the state language.
In a video address posted on Facebook, Tkachenko explained that the changes primarily concern business entities, including shops, cafes, restaurants, pharmacies, gas stations, as well as online shops and catalogs.
"Information about the goods and services shall now be provided in Ukrainian, including on menus, tickets, price tags, manuals, and markings," the minister explained.
He noted that the staff in shops shall address customers in Ukrainian. If visitors continue the conversation in another language known to the employee, both pursue in a language that is more convenient for the customer, at the latter's will.
Tkachenko stressed that fines for violating the law do not apply to private communication.
"Speaking of fines, we are talking about business entities, and only if their employees refuse to speak Ukrainian. But it is important to understand that fines as such are not the ultimate goal. Nobody has the right to impose them just like that. That's only on condition that violations have been duly recorded and a warning was issued first, which must be taken into account within a year's term," the minister explained, adding that each alleged violation will be considered separately.
Read alsoLanguage law: Applicants for civil service, citizenship to pass Ukrainian language tests in 2021
"As citizens, you are free to continue communicating in private life in the language that's more convenient for you. It's just that from now on, having entered any institution, you will definitely hear "Vitayu!" ("hello" in Ukrainian) Let us cherish the language and respect for each other," the minister said.
Amendments to language law