Key facts
- A survey found 51.9% of Poles hold a more negative view of Ukraine after a military unit was named after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).
- The UPA is associated with the Volyn massacres of Poles, a historical event that strains relations between Poland and Ukraine.
- Polish President Karol Nawrocki proposed revoking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's state award.
- Ukraine's Foreign Minister stated the unit's name was chosen to honor those who fought against imperial Moscow, not with anti-Polish intent.
- Poland hosts nearly one million Ukrainian refugees and serves as a key logistical hub for military aid.
A significant portion of the Polish population, over half according to a recent poll, now views Ukraine more negatively following a controversy over the naming of a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a World War II-era nationalist resistance group.
The survey, conducted by SW Research, found that 51.9% of Poles stated their attitude toward Ukraine and Ukrainians has worsened due to the naming decision, while 31.9% reported no change in their views.
The decline in positive sentiment was reportedly more pronounced among men, younger individuals, those with vocational education, and people earning less than 3,000 Polish zloty per month. Polish officials have widely criticized President Volodymyr Zelensky for the decision, citing the UPA's association with the brutal Volyn massacres of Poles between 1943 and 1945. While Poland primarily remembers the UPA for these killings, Ukraine emphasizes its role in fighting Soviet occupation and pursuing independence.
In response to the controversy, Polish President Karol Nawrocki suggested revoking the highest state award previously conferred upon President Zelensky. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, however, advocated for open dialogue to prevent the dispute from being exploited by Moscow. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha assured Polish partners that the soldiers who chose the unit's name had no anti-Polish intentions, stating their aim was to honor those who fought against imperial Moscow.
Despite this diplomatic friction, Poland has remained a staunch ally of Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, serving as a crucial logistical hub for military aid and hosting nearly one million Ukrainian refugees. Nevertheless, historical grievances have periodically strained relations between the two neighboring nations.