A deep-seated historical feud, rooted in World War II mass killings, is creating significant tension between Ukraine and Poland, a vital ally for Kyiv in its conflict with Russia. The dispute centers on the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), which Poland accuses of massacring approximately 100,000 Polish villagers in the Volhynia region between 1943 and 1945, recognizing these actions as genocide. Conversely, some in Ukraine view the UPA as nationalist heroes for their resistance against Soviet and Nazi forces, and a recent decision by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to name a military unit after the UPA has ignited considerable outrage in Poland.
This historical disagreement escalated into a full-blown crisis following Polish President Karol Nawrocki's decision to strip Zelenskyy of Poland's highest honor, the Order of the White Eagle. Zelenskyy subsequently returned the award, with Ukrainian officials suggesting Nawrocki's move was a "gift" to Russia. The controversy led to Zelenskyy skipping a key wartime conference in Poland, and the decision to honor UPA members has been condemned by Nawrocki as the "glorification of bandits and killers." Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a political opponent of Nawrocki, has called for both leaders to de-escalate tensions, emphasizing that the main threat remains Russia.
The implications of this feud are far-reaching. Poland has been a steadfast supporter of Ukraine, providing refuge to millions of Ukrainian refugees and serving as a crucial logistical hub for Western weapons. However, Polish sentiment has shifted, with some politicians, including the leader of the far-right Confederation party, Krzysztof Bosak, advocating for drastic reassessments of relations, such as blocking Ukraine's accession to the EU until Kyiv reverses its decision on the UPA. Nawrocki himself stated that Zelenskyy's decision indicated Ukraine is "not ready to join the European family," highlighting how the historical dispute could impede Ukraine's path towards EU membership.
Historians, like Zbigniew Wojnowski of the University of Oxford, describe the conflicting interpretations of UPA's actions as "unprocessed trauma" for both nations, contributing to persistent divisions. The ongoing exhumation work to honor victims has not fully resolved the historical understanding, further fueling the dispute. European Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho warned that such tensions only benefit Russia, stating, "There is only one happy observer in this type of situation, and that's the aggressor in Ukraine, so we shouldn't be playing into their hands."
