Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha proposed a package of "anti-crisis steps" to ease strained relations with Poland, stemming from historical disputes over World War II. The proposals include consultations between foreign ministries and dialogue with historians and religious leaders.
The diplomatic efforts aim to mend relations between two crucial allies supporting Ukraine against Russia, highlighting the delicate balance between historical grievances and present-day strategic cooperation.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha met with his Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski in Warsaw on July 3 to address strained bilateral relations. The tensions stem from historical disputes, particularly the renaming of a Ukrainian military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a nationalist group involved in World War II events that caused pain in Poland.
Sybiha proposed a package of "anti-crisis steps" aimed at de-escalating the situation. These include initiating consultations between the foreign ministries, organizing meetings of World War II expert historians, and engaging religious leaders from both nations. He emphasized Ukraine's openness to an "equal and honest dialogue."
The Polish Foreign Ministry confirmed that the ministers agreed to work towards improving relations, stressing the importance of historical dialogue grounded in truth and respect for the past. Both sides acknowledged recent progress in confronting historical issues, such as allowing exhumations of Volyn massacre victims and cooperation between scholars.
The controversy escalated when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky decided to rename a military unit after the UPA, which is memorialized in Ukraine as freedom fighters but is associated with the Volyn massacres in Poland. This led to Polish President Karol Nawrocki revoking Zelensky's Order of the White Eagle, prompting some Ukrainian officials to return Polish state honors in protest.
Despite the diplomatic friction, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the continued political involvement in the controversy as a "strategic mistake." In their meeting, Sybiha thanked Sikorski for a constructive conversation, urging both nations to "set emotions aside" and work together, warning against allowing Moscow to benefit from rising tensions between the two close neighbors.