The Danube Commission has completely abandoned the Russian language: details

In July 2026, a decision initiated by Ukraine came into force – the Danube Commission will completely stop using the Russian language.

From now on, the only working languages ​​of the international organization are English and German, the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine reports. 

This decision became another important step in strengthening the international isolation of the aggressor state and eliminating Russian influence from the activities of international institutions. It completes the process initiated by Ukraine and supported by the member states of the Danube Commission.

The decision was adopted on the basis of a Ukrainian compromise proposal during the 102nd session of the Danube Commission. According to it, from January 23, 2025, English and German became the only languages ​​​​of interpretation during meetings, and from July 2026, Russian completely stopped being used in documents and internal work of the Secretariat of the Commission.

“The complete rejection of the Danube Commission from using the Russian language is the result of the consistent and professional work of the Ukrainian delegation. I sincerely thank our specialists who for many months conducted difficult negotiations, sought compromises and convinced partners to support this historic decision. This is an example of how persistent diplomatic work can change international institutions, depriving the aggressor state of the tools of influence and privileges that seemed unchanged for decades,” said Andriy Kashuba, Deputy Minister of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine.

The achievement was the result of the joint work of the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Shipping Administration and the Embassy of Ukraine in Hungary.

The Russian language has been used in the work of the Danube Commission continuously since its establishment in 1949. Its complete exclusion from the organization’s activities became an important symbol of irreversible changes in international institutions.

It should be noted that today the presence of the Russian Federation in the Danube Commission has been completely terminated: Russian representatives have left the organization, and the Russian language has completely ceased to be used in the work of the international organization due to the proactive position of Ukraine.

As previously reported by USM, Russia has been excluded from the international Danube Commission.