Verkhovna Rada prohibits imports, distribution of publishing products from Russia, Belarus

MOSCOW. June 20 (Interfax) - The Verkhovna Rada has adopted a bill restricting imports and distribution of publishing products related to Russia, Belarus and "the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories" (Bill 7459), Ukrainian media outlets quoted Verkhovna Rada deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak as saying on social media on Sunday.

According to Zheleznyak, the bill passed by a constitutional majority of 306 votes, as against 226 votes necessary.

"Starting on January 1, 2023, Ukraine will be publishing and distributing books in the official Ukrainian language, languages of indigenous peoples of Ukraine, and official languages of the European Union. Books in other languages can be published and distributed if they are written in the original language. Therefore, Ukraine will allow to freely publish (import and distribute) books in any (including Russian) language of Ukrainian citizens and any foreign books published in the original language. However, it will not be allowed to publish, import and distribute, say, Western fiction translated into Russian," bill co-author, deputy head of the Servant of the People faction Yevheniya Kravchuk said.

It will be impossible to publish, import or distribute books published in Russia and Belarus, but the rule does not apply to books published in the Soviet era or before that.

The day after it is published, the law will require permission to import books in Russian from third countries. It will prohibit publishing, imports and distribution of books containing works by Russian citizens and anti-Ukrainian books. The exception will be made for authors who renounce their Russian citizenship and become citizens of Ukraine.

Another exception is made for books by Russian citizens published and distributed in Ukraine before January 1, 2023.

It will be possible to import up to ten copies of such books but not for distribution purposes, on condition that they are not listed as anti-Ukrainian.

Imports of anti-Ukrainian books are penalized with a fine in the amount of two to ten minimum wages.