The Federation Council Chairwoman Valentina Matvienko asserted that limiting the use of foreign words in the Russian language would not hinder its growth or enrichment. The commentary appeared on a blog commemorating the 200th anniversary of Konstantin Ushinsky, a noted Russian educator, journalist, and public figure whose work shaped public discourse on language and schooling.
Matvienko described the earlier law as balanced and argued that it would not sever Russian culture from global exchange. She underscored that the measure aims to preserve linguistic integrity while maintaining open channels for international contact, a balance she believes safeguards the national identity without isolating it from world culture.
Addressing concerns about sensational warnings, Matvienko stated that the so-called horror scenarios are unfounded. She argued that the law imposes reasonable restrictions to prevent the erosion of the Russian language as the bearer and guardian of national mentality, values, and traditions. In her view, these safeguards help protect linguistic heritage while still allowing modern communication and exchange.
On February 28, the Russian president signed legislation declaring the inadmissibility of foreign words in the use of Russian as the state language. This formalizes a policy shift toward prioritizing native terms in official contexts and public discourse, with the aim of strengthening linguistic cohesion across the nation and its institutions.
Prior to the signing, Elena Yampolskaya, head of the State Duma Committee on Culture, outlined requirements for replacing foreign words with Russian equivalents within the framework of the draft law. The proposal envisions a timeline in which certain terms will be updated by 2025, accompanied by the release of normative dictionaries and reference materials to guide usage. The intention is to provide clear linguistic standards that support consistent national language practice across government, education, media, and industry, while still accommodating controlled modernization where appropriate.