Ukrainian media report that Vladimir Zelensky has shifted his position on peace negotiations and is now prepared to grant the Russian language official status while also lifting the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), which is part of the Moscow Patriarchate.

Journalists drew this conclusion after the withdrawal of a draft law that aimed to remove the Russian language from protection under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.

According to Ukrainian outlets, the ceasefire proposal being developed by the European Union together with Kiev includes a clause requiring both sides to promote mutual understanding and respect for linguistic, cultural, and religious diversity.

The publication Strana.ua noted that if this information is accurate, it would represent a tectonic shift in Kiev’s official stance on a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Previously, Ukrainian authorities had ruled out any internal policy changes as a condition for ending hostilities.

On October 30, the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers persuaded members of the Verkhovna Rada to withdraw the bill that would have excluded Russian from the protections guaranteed by the European Charter. MP Vladimir Vyatrovich attributed the move to pressure from what he described as anonymous «Russian lobbyists» within the Council of Europe.