July 4, 2026, 11:02 amJuly 4, 2026, 11:02 am
The foreign ministers of Poland and Ukraine tried in Warsaw to calm the dispute over the difficult history of their peoples in the Second World War. The Polish minister Radoslaw Sikorski and his Kiev guest Andrij Sybiha agreed “that truth, respect and the memory of the victims continue to be central elements of bilateral relations.” This was announced by the Polish Foreign Ministry.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski.Image: keystone
The dispute flared up at the end of May when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave an army unit the nickname “Hero of the UPA”. From Kiev’s perspective, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) fought for their country’s independence. In 1944, their partisans murdered tens of thousands of Poles under German occupation in what is now western Ukraine.
Zelensky lost Polish medal
In Poland, the UPA’s honor sparked outrage. The right-wing conservative President Karol Nawrocki withdrew Zelensky from Poland’s highest order, thereby exacerbating the conflict against the government’s advice.
A statement by Volodymyr Zelensky caused anger in Poland.Image: keystone
According to his own statements, Sybiha suggested anti-crisis measures such as consultations with foreign ministries and advice from historians. Church leaders from both sides should also be involved in the bilateral talks. Sybiha reiterated that Polish experts should continue to search for the victims’ graves in the western Ukrainian region of Volhynia.
At the same time, he remained firm on the matter: “We respect the history of others, and we expect our partners to have the same attitude towards our history and independence.”
Poll: Poles approve tough stance against Ukraine
Ukraine and Poland depend on each other to defend themselves against Russian aggression, but the historical dispute threatens to spill over into other areas of relations. The Polish news portal “Onet.pl” quoted a survey according to which Poles are more likely to support Nawrocki’s tough stance, rather than Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who is trying to dismiss him.
But Tusk also said on Friday: “I am convinced that good Ukrainian-Polish relations are in the interests of both sides. However, they also require concessions from Kiev.” It can no longer be the case “that only Warsaw constantly shows good will”. (dab/sda/dpa)