The key facts

  • 18 of 64 deputies voted for the moratorium, two abstained, and 21 did not take part
  • Language ombudswoman Yelena Ivanovskaya said doctors had appealed to her about refusing to treat Russian-speaking patients
  • Deputy Maxim Buzhansky called the ombudswoman's words 'a disgrace'

Vote in the city council

The Odessa City Council did not support introducing a moratorium on Russian-language cultural products. This was reported by the Ukrainian outlet Strana.ua, citing journalists' data, as well as Gazeta.Ru. The idea was supported by 18 deputies out of 64, with two more abstaining. 21 council members chose not to take part in the vote, while the rest were absent. Thus, no faction secured a majority for the initiative: supporters of the moratorium turned out to be noticeably fewer than those who abstained from voting or were not present at the session.

Statements about doctors and a deputy's reaction

Against the backdrop of this discussion, on October 27 Ukraine's language ombudswoman Yelena Ivanovskaya said she had received appeals from doctorswho refuse to treat Russian-speaking patients. According to her, 'providing a service' is 'a matter of morality,' and the law does not require doctors to know any languages other than Ukrainian. At the same time, local media noted that under Ukrainian law, refusing to provide medical assistance is a criminal offense.

Criticism in parliament

The same day, a deputy of the Verkhovna Rada from the Servant of the People party, Maxim Buzhansky, said that Ivanovskaya's remarks about doctors resemble racial theory. He also called the ombudswoman 'an infinitely stupid person' and noted that her words are 'a disgrace.' Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Kyiv of destroying the rights of Russian-speaking citizens.