At a meeting on May 20, the UN Security Council refused to review the new Ukrainian law on ensuring the functioning of Ukrainian as the state language. Russia requested the review earlier.

This was reported by “Radio Svoboda”.

The decision regarding the law was made in the beginning of the meeting.

“We urge the members of the Security Council to oppose the holding of this meeting,” said Permanent Representative of France to the UN Francois DeLatres.

He noted that this question should be considered in the context of ceasefire, withdrawal of heavy weapons, return of Ukrainian power to the occupied areas of Donbas, withdrawal of foreign troops and disbandment of illegal armed groups in the territory.

Five countries (Russia, China, South Africa, Dominican Republic and Equatorial Guinea) supported Russia’s initiative, six countries (USA, France, UK, Germany, Belgium and Poland) voted against it, and four state abstained.

Vasily Nebenzya, representative of the Russian Federation, stated that the law on Ukrainian language violates Minsk agreements.

As “Apostrophe” reported earlier, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the law "On ensuring the functioning of Ukrainian as the state language" on April 25. President Petro Poroshenko signed it on May 15.

The law strengthens the position of Ukrainian language in government, service sector, education and media. It holds government officials accountable for not knowing the language, with the law being enforced 3 years after being passed. At the same time, it does not restrict any personal communications in any languages or the free use of languages of national minorities.