Ukrainian spelling approved as standard for state language: what will change

This was announced by the National Commission for State Language Standards.

The National Commission for State Language Standards has approved Ukrainian spelling as the standard for the state language.

The decision was made in accordance with the resolution of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine "On strengthening the role of the Ukrainian language in the establishment of the Ukrainian state" dated 15 January 2026.

Thus, the Commission has introduced a single official text of Ukrainian spelling into the legal field.

The Commission emphasises that this is not a new language reform. The current edition of Ukrainian spelling, approved in 2019, remains unchanged.

While preparing the document, the working group improved the structure of the spelling rules, made editorial and technical corrections, and edited the illustrative material.

In particular, references to the aggressor state were removed from the examples.

According to the Commission, the working group received about 1,400 suggestions for changes to the text from the public.

Letters with comments and suggestions were also received from 27 government agencies, scientific and educational institutions.

Some of the proposals were taken into account, while others were proposed for consideration during future spelling changes in accordance with the procedure established by law.

The Commission also changed the mechanism for approving the document.

Previously, spelling was approved by a government resolution, but now it is formalised as a standard of the state language, approved by the relevant authority.

The Commission notes that this decision does not change the current spelling rules. Journalists, educators and publishers will continue to use the 2019 edition.

At the same time, the Commission stated the need for further improvement of spelling, which may involve the preparation of future changes.