The Volhynia massacres remain one of the most sensitive historical and diplomatic issues between Poland and Ukraine. Between 1943 and 1945, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) systematically killed an estimated 60,000 to 100,000 ethnic Poles, mostly civilians, in Nazi-occupied Volhynia and Eastern Galicia, with the culmination of these events being the village attacks carried out on the “Bloody Sunday” of July 11, 1943.
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After Saturday morning’s talks in Warsaw with K. Budanov, W. Kosiniak-Kamysz announced on the social network “X” that he had conveyed Poland’s clear expectations regarding Ukraine’s decision to name a military unit after “UPA heroes”.
He wrote that both nations, in order to build a future, must tell each other the truth about history.
“The memory of the victims of Volhynia is not a subject for negotiation. There are limits that cannot be crossed,” added W. Kosiniak-Kamysz, reiterating that Poland and Ukraine remain partners in the field of security.
After talks with W. Kosiniak-Kamysz, K. Budanov went to the Belvedere Presidential Palace to speak with Marcin Przydacz, the Polish President’s chief advisor on foreign policy.
“The conversation revolved around bilateral relations, including historical issues arising from recent decisions by the Ukrainian side,” the Presidential Office announced on “X” later on Saturday.
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After the meeting, M. Przydacz told the PAP news agency that bilateral relations were discussed in talks with K. Budanov, but primarily historical issues and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decision.
“I presented Poland’s position on this matter to the Ukrainian side in an appropriate manner. Any attempt to glorify criminals associated with the UPA receives and will receive a strong response,” said M. Przydacz.
“The Ukrainian side indicated that it understands the reaction this issue causes in Poland and is interested in dialogue on this matter. I stated my readiness for further negotiations and outlined the Polish side’s expectations that such a dialogue would yield positive results,” said the presidential official.
On Friday, K. Budanov also discussed Zelenskyy’s decision with Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Bosacki. Maciej Wewior, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that one of the topics of the conversation was Ukraine’s proposals for resolving the situation.
Diplomatic friction arose after the Ukrainian president decided at the end of May to give a military unit a name associated with the UPA, aiming to restore national military traditions. This step was met with swift condemnation in Warsaw, with Polish President Karol Nawrocki expressing outrage and warning that this decision aids Russian propaganda. K. Nawrocki announced that on Monday, June 8, the Chapter of the Order of the White Eagle would convene, where he intends to propose stripping Zelenskyy of Poland’s highest state award.
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