Key facts
- A dispute over the Ukrainian Insurgent Army's (UPA) World War II massacres of Poles is impacting Polish and Ukrainian politics.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to honor a military unit with UPA ties has led to a diplomatic spat with Poland.
- Polish President Karol Nawrocki revoked Zelenskyy's highest honor, the Order of the White Eagle, in response.
- The historical dispute is becoming a significant issue in Poland's upcoming parliamentary elections, with nationalist parties leveraging anti-Ukrainian sentiment.
- Some Polish politicians are threatening to block Ukraine's EU accession unless historical grievances are addressed.
- Public opinion in Poland has shifted, with growing frustration over the presence of Ukrainian refugees and perceived disrespect.
A historical dispute over World War II massacres is increasingly influencing politics in both Poland and Ukraine, potentially straining their alliance against Russia and impacting Poland's upcoming parliamentary elections. The conflict escalated when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy honored a military unit named after the "Heroes of UPA," an organization responsible for killing tens of thousands of Poles in an ethnic cleansing campaign.
This move has outraged Poland, where the UPA's actions are widely considered genocide. Polish President Karol Nawrocki retaliated by revoking Zelenskyy's Order of the White Eagle, which Zelenskyy promptly returned. Nawrocki has also threatened to block Ukraine's path to European Union membership unless Kyiv acknowledges the massacres and apologizes.
For Ukraine, the issue has become a matter of national sovereignty and the right to define its own heroes, particularly as Russia wages war and portrays Ukraine as an artificial state. Kyrylo Budanov, head of Zelenskyy's office, stated that "no one else will ever dictate to Ukrainians which heroes to honor."
In Poland, the dispute is being weaponized by nationalist and right-wing parties, including President Nawrocki's Law and Justice (PiS) party, ahead of next year's general election. These groups see an opportunity to score points against the pro-EU centrist government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk by highlighting perceived strains caused by the estimated 2 million Ukrainian refugees in Poland. Frustration is growing regarding the impact on public services, and some far-right politicians have adopted strongly anti-Ukrainian rhetoric.
Prime Minister Tusk, facing reelection, has urged both sides to cool tensions, calling the dispute a "strategic mistake" that distracts from the common front against Russia. However, the nationalist camp, aligned with Nawrocki, may seek to form a coalition with anti-Ukrainian elements. Political scientists note that President Nawrocki's actions likely reflect a perceived shift in public mood against Ukraine, consolidating right-wing and nationalist support.
Economic research suggests Poland has benefited from the influx of Ukrainian workers, but public sentiment appears to be souring. A recent poll indicated that over half of respondents had a worsened view of Ukraine and Zelenskyy after the UPA unit decision. Far-right leaders have openly criticized unconditional aid to Ukraine, with one calling the "Kyiv regime" an enemy of the Polish nation.