The Controversy Over Ukraine’s New Law on Education: Conflict Prevention and Minority Rights Protection as Divergent Objectives?

This article analyses the diplomatic crisis that arose after Ukraine adopted a new Law on Education in 2017. A number of Ukraine's neighbouring countries responded negatively to the Law, arguing that it violates minority communities' right to mother tongue education. Hungary's reaction was the most serious, which led to the blocking of Ukraine's nato and EU integration. The conflict worsened in 2018; Hungary continues to veto Ukraine's integration process, while Ukraine has put pressure on the Hungarian community in Transcarpathia. The European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) recommended that Ukraine amend the Law, while nato and the US called on Hungary and Ukraine to end their disagreement through bilateral negotiations.