Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Initiates Reintroduction of Ukrainian Names for Foreign Cities: Berestya, Bilyhorod, and Dobračyn in Focus of National Identity and Diplomacy
Ukraine is increasingly embracing efforts to restore and promote the use of historically and culturally accurate Ukrainian names for foreign cities and settlements. Under the leadership of Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, the ministry has announced a systematic plan to reintroduce Ukrainian place names internationally, emphasizing sovereignty and historical truth. In recent years, the global community and Ukrainian diplomats have dedicated themselves to correcting improper or Russian-language spellings of Ukrainian toponyms in documents and official sources. This movement has led to initiatives to change city names such as Berestya (instead of Brest), Bilyhorod (instead of Belgorod), Dobračyn (instead of Debrecen), among others, aligning them with historical and cultural traditions. Sybiga stressed that these measures serve as expressions of independence and national identity, supported by current Ukrainian legislation, including the law on ensuring the functioning of the Ukrainian language as the state language. As part of systematizing and popularizing Ukrainian names in diplomatic documentation and international interactions, the Ministry plans to establish specialized registries and coordinate efforts with relevant institutions. It is important to note that this process is voluntary and does not impose names on foreign countries; rather, it seeks to affirm Ukraine’s right to its historical and cultural legacy. Minister Sybiga urged Ukrainians to actively participate by proposing foreign city names they wish to see officially recognized in Ukraine. It is also noteworthy that in February 2024, Germany will officially change the spelling of the Ukrainian capital from Kiew to Kyjiw, symbolizing progress toward international recognition of Ukraine’s sovereignty.