Language as the nation’s DNA: the institutionalisation of Ukrainian within the European administrative architecture

Four years into the full-scale Russian invasion, the Ukrainian language has transcended its role as a mere medium of communication to become a vital instrument of national survival and European integration. As millions of refugees reshape the demographic landscape of the continent, a silent revolution is taking place within the administrative and educational structures of the European Union – the Ukrainian language is being systematically integrated into national education, digital governance, and administrative frameworks.

This institutional shift reflects the profound nature of language as described by Oleksandr Oles: “Language is not merely a means of communication, but something far more significant. It encompasses all the deep layers of a nation’s spiritual life, its historical memory, and the most precious heritage of the ages. Language is also music, melody, the colours of existence, and the contemporary artistic, intellectual, and philosophical activity of people.” These words aptly capture the essence of language as a common good of every nation and the embodied spirit dwelling within those who speak it. Language constitutes a thread connecting generations of people who thought, spoke, and lived within the same cultural code. In times of historical crisis, and particularly during armed conflict, it also becomes a vital tool for survival. It is through this lens of self-defence and demographic change that the Ukrainian language is now undergoing a formal institutionalisation within the EU, marking a critical phase of Ukraine’s pre-accession journey.

In 2026, marking the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russo-Ukrainian war, the significance of language in protecting one’s identity has become particularly evident. The demographic shifts shaped by the conflict have strengthened the presence of the Ukrainian language across Europe. The latest Eurostat data from the end of December 2025 indicate that 4.35 million Ukrainian citizens under temporary protection were residing in the EU. This figure has remained high since the start of the invasion, with the largest numbers hosted by Germany (1.25 million), Poland (969,240), and the Czech Republic (393,055). These individuals act as natural ambassadors for their country, while simultaneously serving as a catalyst for changes within the broader public sector to ensure the effective integration of refugees at a local level.

This article posits that the 2022 full-scale invasion initiated a process of permanent integration of the Ukrainian language into the European administrative and educational sphere. While there are currently 24 official languages in the EU, and Ukrainian is not yet among them, numerous steps have been taken to maintain the cultural ties of refugees with their home country and to promote the Ukrainian language. A turning point was the extraordinary General Assembly of the European Federation of National Institutions for Language (EFNIL) in March 2022, which unanimously supported Ukraine’s inclusion in the EU’s linguistic area. Membership in this organisation entails supporting the teaching of member states’ languages at all levels of education and ensuring opportunities to learn them in the country of residence. Another milestone was Ukraine being granted EU candidate status in June 2022, which led, among other things, to the opening of a Ukrainian section within the Speech Repository – a tool for developing interpreting skills. Furthermore, in May 2023, Ukrainian was integrated into the European Commission’s eTranslation system, enabling the automated translation of official documents, which is also intended to facilitate the accession negotiation process. Council of Europe resolutions have further reinforced this process by encouraging the promotion of Ukrainian literature, the creation of “Ukrainian bookshelves” in libraries, and support for independent publishers.

The practical implementation of these objectives is most visible in the countries hosting the largest numbers of refugees. In Germany, in federal states such as North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, and Baden-Württemberg, the Ukrainian language is used both in the education system and the public sector. In Hesse, from the 2024/2025 school year, students can study Ukrainian and take it as a subject in their school-leaving exams. In cities like Berlin or Hamburg, where the proportion of Ukrainians is high, the employment of intercultural assistants in schools and job centres has become commonplace. Similar solutions are functioning in Poland and the Czech Republic. In Poland, the Ukrainian language has long held the status of a national minority language, and since September 2024, Ukrainian children who have to attend Polish schools can study their mother tongue and take it as part of the Polish Matura exams. In the Czech Republic, alongside exam concessions (such as extended time) within the Maturita system, Ukrainian can be chosen as an optional subject, and assistant support has been introduced in hospitals and job centres.

This institutionalisation is complemented by the adaptation of digital and transport infrastructure. Many German cities offer fully Ukrainian-language online forms, while in Poland, interfaces in the language have become standard in banking, apps such as mObywatel, and PKP Intercity ticketing systems. Czech Railways and urban transport systems in Prague and Brno have also implemented instructions in Ukrainian, as have the largest Czech banks. Similar solutions are being rolled out across the Baltic states.

Such a comprehensive approach clearly indicates a forward-looking perception of the Ukrainian language in the context of full integration with the European Union. Linguistic inclusion at the level of the Council of Europe, EU structures, and national systems not only facilitates life for refugees but also serves as a barrier against Russian efforts to erase Ukrainian identity. In the European Union, integration is viewed as a two-way process, and providing space for the Ukrainian language is the best evidence of this. It is an approach rooted in respect, choosing dialogue and the recognition of the dignity of different groups over forced assimilation. As Lina Kostenko aptly noted: “Nations do not die of a heart attack. First, they are deprived of their language.” In this sense, European support for the Ukrainian language is an existential act for the survival of the nation and its culture within a common Europe.

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