On December 3, 2025, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine hosted a creative encounter with Pavlo Grytsenko, Doctor of Philology, Professor, Director of the Institute of Ukrainian Language of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, entitled “The Ukrainian language in modern statehood: challenges, problems, ways to overcome them”.

The event, organized and conducted by the Research Service, was attended by employees of the Secretariat of the Verkhova Rada of Ukraine, the Research Service, and assistants-advisers to Ukrainian MPs.

During the meeting, Pavlo Grytsenko highlighted the essence and role of the Ukrainian language, its development from the historical past to the present. Referring to historical sources, the lecturer showed copies of ancient prints, dictionaries, maps, and unique artifacts, including the Peresopnytsia Gospel, and emphasized that the Ukrainian language has always been an integral part of the nation’s cultural and political life.

The linguist paid special attention to figures whose names are forever engraved in the history of statehood: Yaroslav the Wise and Anna Yaroslavna, Pylyp Orlyk, and Taras Shevchenko.

As history shows, the Ukrainian language has played an important role in state-building processes and was a real challenge to imperialism. The lecturer's opinion is confirmed by Taras Shevchenko’s words from the preface to the unrealized second edition of Kobzar in 1847: "They have their people and their language, and we have our people and our language. Let the people judge whose is better."

Pavlo Grytsenko also focused on the current functioning of the Ukrainian language and its role in the international arena. In his opinion, the language policy issue is a matter of national security and our state future. “As long as our language, culture, and consciousness remain Ukrainian-speaking and Ukrainian-minded, Ukraine will exist! I do not see the future of the Ukrainian language in dark tones. I am deeply convinced that Ukraine will remain Ukrainian,” the linguist concluded.