Zelensky submits bill defining English as int'l communication language in Ukraine to Verkhovna Rada

MOSCOW. June 29 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has submitted a bill to the Verkhovna Rada that recognizes English as the language of international communication in Ukraine.

The corresponding bill was submitted to the Ukrainian parliament for debate on Wednesday, Ukrainian media said.

Deputy head of the Verkhovna Rada's Humanitarian Policy Committee Yevgeny Kravchuk, for his part, said that the bill also defines categories of posts candidates for which will be required to have a command of English.

"Before they can be appointed to the post, public servants, prosecutors and senior police staff will have to take an English exam," the Verkhovna Rada said in a statement.

In particular, emergency units will have to use English while assisting foreigners and people who do cannot speak the state language. Medics will also be required to be able to communicate with patients in English or through an interpreter while providing medical aid.

Under the bill, information in transport should be available in English alongside the state language and foreign film the original language of which is English should be demonstrated in movie theaters in the original language with subtitles in the state language.