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Presidents’ Feud Overshadows Ukraine Reconstruction Event The Fujian—which increases Beijing’s firepower on land and sea—passed dangerously close to the sovereign state China would claim as its own. The remigration activists behind the petition are now boosted by 90,000 volunteers to spread their message. Baroness Hale said she wished she had heard the case, hinting she would not have backed the judges’ unanimous decision. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Romania’s President Nicuşor Dan, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson ,and Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal address a press conference at the Artus Court during the Eastern Flank Summit, a parallel event of the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2026) in Gdansk, Poland, on June 25, 2026. The Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2026), co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine, takes place in Gdansk on June 25–26, 2026, aiming to strengthen support for Ukraine’s reconstruction and boost investment, with a focus on energy, critical infrastructure, and logistics sectors. WOJTEK RADWANSKI / AFP Aspredicted, President Volodymyr Zelensky did not attend the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdansk, Poland. Pro-Brussels Polish prime ministe…

History haunting Ukraine-Poland relations, again History is rattling Ukraine-Poland relations, yet again. The new round of historical grievances erupted in Poland when President Volodymyr Zelensky named a Ukrainian special forces unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) — an organization that fought for Ukrainian independence during and after World War II, but which evokes painful memories in Poland. In Ukraine, the UPA represents a historical struggle against Moscow's domination — a legacy that feels especially alive amid Russia's full

Europe's Nord Stream Headache: Poland, Germany, And Ukraine Clash Over ... Europe’s Nord Stream Headache: Poland, Germany, And Ukraine Clash Over Pipeline Sabotage By Editor on 14th October 2025 • ( 1 ) Europe’s Nord Stream Headache: Poland, Germany, And Ukraine Clash Over Pipeline Sabotage By Uriel Araujo The arrest of a Ukrainian national accused of helping blow up the Nord Stream pipelines is deepening mistrust within the EU. As Kiev allegedly pressures Warsaw, Berlin struggles to assert control. The affair revives uncomfortable questions about who really benefits from Europe’s energy dependence. The Nord Stream saga has taken a new twist. A Ukrainian citizen detained in Poland at Germany’s request over the 2022 pipeline sabotage has now become the centre of a diplomatic storm. Ukraine’s reported pressure on Poland is straining ties with Warsaw and Berlin, reopening questions European leaders have tried to bury. Polish authorities have resisted Germany’s extradition request for the detained Ukrainian, citing national interest and judicial independence. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated bluntly that it was “not in Poland’s interest” to hand the suspect over to Berlin — a …

Polish-Ukrainian "History Wars" Threaten European Security Insights Polish-Ukrainian “History Wars” Threaten European Security Sustained cooperation requires restraint in symbolic politics. June 04, 2026 by Yuliia Korotia 5 min read Share Foreign Policy Transatlantic Relations War in Ukraine Poland Ukraine Photo: Getty Images Europe Print Article Listen to this article Audio file Audio is generated automatically and may contain minor inaccuracies. A political storm has erupted between Poland and Ukraine over the past week, reminding both countries that unresolved historical memory remains one of the most explosive elements of their relationship even in wartime. The timing is particularly problematic. Relations between Poland and Ukraine had already been under strain following the agricultural trade disputes of 2023-24 and growing fatigue within parts of Polish society regarding the long-term costs of supporting Ukraine. Poland’s presidential transition has further increased the political importance of the country’s Ukraine policy, particularly among conservative constituencies for whom historical memory remains central (and which some political actors continue to mobilize for elec…

KYIV POST: Nawrocki and Zelensky Meet But Bitter Poland-Ukraine History Clash Left ‘Unresolved’ https://www.kyivpost.com/post/79891 Polish and Ukrainian presidents met on the sidelines of the NATO summit but failed to resolve their dispute over the legacy of the UPA, which continues to strain […]

"No One Will Dictate to Us": Ukraine-Poland Spat Escalates Two recent decisions by France’s Court of Cassation mandate the legalisation of births from surrogacy recognized abroad. The German welfare state is becoming unaffordable as debt servicing alone is set to surpass €80 billion by 2030. The former president of the Rassemblement National has announced that she will appeal to the Court of Cassation and is delighted that the French people are once again being given the choice to vote for her. Poland’s President Karol Nawrocki (R) and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky react at the end of a joint press conference following their talks at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, Poland, on December 19, 2025. WOJTEK RADWANSKI / AFP Thediplomatic spatbetween Ukraine and Poland is showing no signs of abating: Polish politicians from across the political spectrum have harshly criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for his most recent words aimed at Poland, with some suggesting that Warsaw shouldblock Kyiv’s EU accession negotiations. The backlash came after Zelenskyannouncedon Ukraine’s Constitution Day on Sunday, June 28th, that he had submitted legislation creating a …

Quarrel over WWII massacre rekindles bad blood between Poland and Ukraine | Euractiv The Volhynia massacre, which took place in 1943-1944 and resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Poles, remains highly controversial, with experts still debating whether it can be described as genocide.  [EPA-EFE/Art Service 2 ] The Volhynia massacre, in which the Ukrainian Insurgent Army ethnically cleansed Poles in what is now western Ukraine during the Second World War, has come to haunt Polish-Ukrainian relations. The Volhynia massacre, which took place in 1943-1944 and resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Poles, remains highly controversial, with experts still debating whether it can be described as genocide. But when Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba was asked whether Kyiv would allow exhumations of the victims – a longstanding demand from Warsaw – during an event organised as part of the National Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Genocide, which Poland has commemorated since 2016, he replied vaguely. He said historical issues like the Volhynia massacre should be left to historians so that the focus can shift to building a shared future – this was met with widespr…

Dwindling US Support Isn't Ukraine's Biggest Problem—Poland Is ... By Juliette Bretan Researcher and journalist 0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine , Western interest in supporting the Ukrainian war effort is fading. News from the front line now rarely reaches Western headlines, and military aid, especially from the U.S., is diminishing. U.S. military help to Ukraine fell by 99 percent in 2025, compared with the annual average for 2022-2024, according to the Kiel Institute’s Ukraine Support Tracker. Yet recent months have seen a far more dangerous threat emerge for Kyiv–and one closer to home. Poland , Ukraine’s neighbor, was previously a stalwart supporter of the fight against Russia–partly due to its historical suffering, like Ukraine, under Russian domination. But as a result of a new right-wing president, unresolved wartime tensions, an economic downturn, and Russian disinformation, Polish aid for Ukraine is rapidly waning. It comes at a disastrous time. With Vladimir Putin ’s announceme…

EXPLAINER: A Ukrainian military unit has been named after the UPA ... Reklama Reklama Understanding a historical dispute that many Ukrainians and Westerners struggle to grasp. Polish and Ukrainian flags PAP/Darek Delmanowicz The latest controversy in Polish–Ukrainian relations was triggered by a decree signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in May 2026. Marking the anniversary of Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces, Zelensky awarded the Independent Special Operations Center „North”—one of the country’s elite commando units—the honorary title „Heroes of the UPA.” The decree described the move as part of an effort to restore the historical traditions of Ukraine’s armed forces and recognized the unit’s distinguished service in defending the country’s independence and territorial integrity during the war against Russia. Poland’s reaction was immediate and remarkably unified. Politicians across the political spectrum—from the left to the conservative right—condemned the decision. Government officials called it unacceptable, arguing that it wounds the memory of the victims of the Volhynia massacres. Poland’s Foreign Ministry also warned that the move could provide fresh ammuni…

Ukraine Proposes Steps To Defuse Poland Tensions as Old WW-2 Wounds ... Share Facebook X WhatsApp ReddIt Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said on Friday in Warsaw that Kyiv has proposed steps to neighboring Poland aimed at easing tensions over a World War II massacre. Ukrainian President Zelensky enraged Warsaw by naming a military unit after the nationalist Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a group that took part in massacres against Poles during World War II. Poland’s nationalist President Karol Nawrocki responded by stripping Zelensky of Warsaw’s highest honor, the Order of the White Eagle, prompting several top Ukrainian officials, including Sybiga, to hand back their Polish awards.  After meeting Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, Nawrocki’s political opponent from the ruling party, Sybiga said that he “proposed a package of anti-crisis steps.” The proposals call for organizing consultations between historians and inviting religious leaders from both nations to engage in dialogue, he added. “I reaffirmed… that the Ukrainian military’s choice of unit name carried no anti-Polish intent,” he said. The Polish foreign ministry said, “The ministers underlined their co…

Ukraine Proposes Roadmap to Resolve Historical Disputes With Poland — UNITED24 Media Following recent tensions over historical memory, Ukraine has proposed a diplomatic framework to help stabilize relations with Poland and preserve their strategic partnership. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha proposed a comprehensive package of crisis-response measures to Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski during a diplomatic meeting in Warsaw on July 3. The diplomatic initiative includes structured consultations between the respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs, collaborative meetings between World War II historians, and the involvement of prominent religious leaders in a renewed bilateral dialogue. We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field. DONATE NOW Sybiha emphasized that both nations share a common adversary in Moscow and stated that the two neighboring countries possess the political will and shared history required to prevent external parties from exploiting bilateral tensions. "The time has come to put emotions aside. We have enough wisdom, lessons from our shared history, and political will to not allow Moscow to rejoice at the tensio…

By trying to rehabilitate the Nazi UPA, Ukraine is shooting itself in the foot. Poland has essentially issued a warning. As Ukraine moves closer to EU integration, there will be increasing pressure to abandon this stupidity. www.bbc.com/news/article...

Ukraine hits back at Polish president over comments on 'premature' EU ... News Feed Ukraine hits back at Polish president over comments on 'premature' EU, NATO talks September 9, 2025 1:19 pm • 3 min read Prefer on Google by Martin Fornusek Polish President Karol Nawrocki seen during commemorations at Westerplatte on Sept. 1, 2025, in Gdansk, Poland. (Mateusz Slodkowski/Getty Images) Talks on Ukraine's accession to NATO and the EU are strategically important in the context of Russian aggression and are not "premature," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said on Sept. 9 in response to Polish President Karol Nawrocki. The ministry reacted to Nawrocki's interview with the Lithuanian broadcaster LRT, in which he said that a country cannot join NATO while at war and that "today's discussion about Ukraine 's membership in the European Union is premature." Tensions rose between Poland and Ukraine in recent months as the new Polish president took a harder stance toward Kyiv than his predecessor, Andrzej Duda. While affirming support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and Polish military aid, Nawrocki has opposed fast-tracking Kyiv's accession to NATO and the EU. "I believe that a country at …

Watch: Inside the deepest diplomatic crisis between Poland and Ukraine By Jakub Janas Published on 09/06/2026 - 9:07 GMT+2 Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Copied A recent military designation has sparked a major diplomatic crisis between Warsaw and Kyiv, exposing deeply conflicting national narratives. What has happened? Politics is about symbols and this time was no different. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT A recent military designation has sparked a major diplomatic crisis between Warsaw and Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy named an elite special operations unit after "UPA Heroes" to honour their modern battlefield performance. In response, Polish President Karol Nawrocki announced intentions to strip Zelenskyy of Poland’s highest state award, the Order of the White Eagle. For Poland, the UPA, or the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, is responsible for a campaign of genocidal ethnic cleansing in the 1940s that resulted in the deaths of an estimated 100,000 Polish civilians in Volhynia (known as Volyn in Ukrainian and Wołyń in Polish), …

Polish PM Tusk caught between Kyiv and Warsaw as Ukraine rift deepens Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is in a tough spot. The liberal pro-EU, pro-Ukraine prime minister is looking at a country increasingly at odds with both. In recent weeks, ties between Kyiv and Warsaw have sharply deteriorated after President Volodymyr Zelensky named a military unit in honor of the World War II–era Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), prompting his Polish counterpart to revoke the country's highest state honor previously awarded to the Ukrainian president. The unfolding row saw Z

The bitter historical feud between Ukraine and Poland amid Russia war A deep historical rift is now challenging the strong alliance between Poland and Ukraine , despite their shared war against Russia . The dispute centres on Kyiv's renaming of an army unit after a nationalist force, responsible for Second World War massacres of Poles, which has soured relations and exposed rival historical interpretations. Here's how their rival interpretations of history have soured relations: Ukrainian insurgent army Polish President Karol Nawrocki stripped Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of the country's top honour on Friday, after Zelensky signed a decree recognising a Ukrainian combat unit's contribution to the fight against Russia by naming it after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), angering many in Poland. During and after World War Two, when Ukraine belonged to the Soviet Union, the UPA fought against the Red Army, for a time allying itself with the Nazi German invaders, to seek Ukrainian independence. Ukraine says the naming of the unit carries no "anti-Polish intent" and was chosen by soldiers who wanted to commemorate others who had fought against Moscow. open image in gallery…

European Parliament condemns Zelensky for glorifying the UPA MEPs called the heroization of the UPA an "unnecessary escalation," warning Kyiv that its policies are inconsistent with European values. The European Parliament has officially criticized the decision ofVolodymyr Zelenskyto name an elite military unit after the UPA. This was reported byEuronews. Members of the European Parliament approved by a majority vote an amendment to the report on Ukraine's readiness for EU accession, calling the president's actions an "unnecessary and unprovoked escalation." In the text of the resolution, MEPs expressed regret over the "disregard for the feelings of the Polish people" and the memory of the tens of thousands of victims who perished during the Volhynia massacre. The authors of the document emphasized that such decisions "are not in line with European values" and undermine good-neighborly relations with Poland. "This is a very clear signal and a warning to the Ukrainian authorities not to provoke negative emotions and not to act against European values," said MEP Andrzej Halicki after the vote. He added that Kyiv is obliged to respect common rules if it genuinely wants to become …

European Parliament criticises Zelensky for naming military unit after ... European Parliament criticises Zelensky for naming military unit after group that massacred Poles in WWII Jul 8, 2026 | History , Politics Keep our news free from ads and paywalls by making a donation to support our work! Notes from Poland is run by a small editorial team and is published by an independent, non-profit foundation that is funded through donations from our readers. We cannot do what we do without your support. The European Parliament (EP) has criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for naming a military unit after a group that massacred Poles during World War Two, saying that it is “not in line with European values”. Zelensky’s decision has triggered a diplomatic crisis with Poland, where some politicians have called for the blocking of Ukraine’s EU accession process until the issue is resolved. 🇪🇺🇵🇱🇺🇦 Rezolucja Parlamentu Europejskiego ws. Ukrainy! "Parlament Europejski ubolewa nad niedawną niepotrzebną i niesprowokowaną eskalacją spowodowaną przez prezydenta Wołodymyra Zełenskiego polegającą na nadaniu elitarnej jednostce Sił Zbrojnych Ukrainy imienia Bohaterów UPA.… pic.twitter.co…

Why Are Poland and Ukraine at Odds Over Their Shared History? Published byGlobal Banking & Finance Review Posted on June 8, 2026 · Last updated: June 8, 2026 WARSAW, June 8 (Reuters) - Poland is weighing whether to strip Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy of its top honour for renaming an army unit after Ukrainian nationalist insurgents who massacred Poles in World War Two. The decision caused a chorus of outrage in Warsaw and led President Karol Nawrocki to call for Zelenskiy to be stripped of the Order of the White Eagle, which he was awarded in 2023. Here's how Poland's and Ukraine's rival interpretations of their complex, shared 20th-century history weigh on current relations: UKRAINIAN INSURGENT ARMY Zelenskiy signed a decree recognising a Ukrainian combat unit's contribution to the fight against Russia by naming it after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). During and after World War Two, when Ukraine belonged to the Soviet Union, the UPA fought against the Red Army, for a time allying itself with the Nazi German invaders, to seek Ukrainian independence. Ukraine says the naming of the unit carries no "anti-Polish intent" and was chosen by soldiers who wanted to …

Between Solidarity and Strain: Understanding the Rise of Anti-Ukrainian ... Since the outbreak of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Poland has stood at the forefront of European support for Ukraine. Her open-armed reception of millions of Ukrainian refugees was hailed as a remarkable act of solidarity. Yet more than three years into the war, strains have begun to surface. While institutional support from the Polish government remains largely consistent, signs of rising anti-Ukrainian sentiment amongst parts of the Polish public have become more visible. Understanding this shift is essential for preserving the long-standing friendship between two historically intertwined nations and for maintaining European unity in the face of Russian aggression. Historical Complexity and Post-2022 Solidarity Polish-Ukrainian relations are shaped by a shared and sometimes troubled history, marked by both cooperation and conflict. Memories of the Volhynia massacres by Ukrainian extremists during World War II (1943–44) and competing national narratives have periodically strained relations, even in recent decades. However these historical wounds seemed to recede into the backg…

The 'War of Orders' - Kaczynski Calls to Block Ukraine's EU Membership ... Leader of the Polish opposition party Law and Justice, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, called on the government to block negotiations regarding Ukraine's accession to the European Union. He accused Kyiv of escalating the conflict with Warsaw. Jaroslaw Kaczynski, leader of the Polish opposition national-conservative party Law and Justice (PiS), called on the government to block negotiations regarding Ukraine's accession to the European Union. This was reported by the Financial Times on Saturday, June 27. Two days earlier, Kaczynski stated that he would return the medal awarded to him by Ukraine, as a sign of his attitude "not so much towards Ukrainians, but towards the Ukrainian elite." The PiS leader also accused Kyiv of "violently escalating" the "war of orders" with Warsaw. The FT notes that Kaczynski's rhetoric sharply contrasts with the policies of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who on June 25 opened a two-day Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2026) in Gdansk. It concluded with the signing of 160 agreements totaling over 10 billion euros. The Financial Times writes that PiS seems to be preparing for parliamentar…

Zelensky’s ‘pantheon of heroes’ move will cost Ukraine — former Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki clarified that "the cult of the UPA" did not strengthen Ukraine, but rather, it weakened its authority, complicated relations with allies, and distanced Ukraine from Western integration

Ukraine's Glorification Of The OUN Is Reopening Poland's Oldest Wounds Ukraine’s Glorification Of The OUN Is Reopening Poland’s Oldest Wounds By Editor on 5th June 2026 • ( 0 ) Ukraine’s Glorification Of The OUN Is Reopening Poland’s Oldest Wounds By Uriel Araujo The Ukrainian state reburial of Nazi collaborator Andriy Melnyk has triggered outrage in Poland and Israel. The controversy is reviving difficult questions about nationalism, historical memory, and Ukraine’s post-Maidan far-right problem. A new controversy has once again exposed the fragile foundations of the Polish-Ukrainian partnership and the unresolved historical issues plaguing Kiev’s post-Maidan regime. Polish President Karol Nawrocki has signalled support for stripping Volodymyr Zelensky (his Ukrainian counterpart) of Poland’s highest state distinction – the Order of the White Eagle , awarded by former President Andrzej Duda. The immediate trigger was Ukraine’s decision to rebury Andriy Melnyk (the infamous leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists – OUN ), with state honours and in the presence of Ukraine’s top leadership, including Zelensky himself. Poland’s Nawrocki has thus argued that Ukraine is “no…

Ukraine proposes 'anti-crisis' measures to defuse tensions with Poland Europe Ukraine proposes 'anti-crisis' measures to defuse tensions with Poland July 3, 2026 10:05 pm • 4 min read Prefer on Google by Abbey Fenbert Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski (L) and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha pose for a photo in Warsaw, Poland on July 3, 2026. (Andrii Sybiha / X) Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha proposed a package of "anti-crisis steps" meant to allay tensions between Ukraine and Poland during a meeting with his Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski in Warsaw on July 3, Sybiha said. The ministers' meeting comes a time of strained relations between Kyiv and Warsaw due to disputes over history, memory, and the legacy of World War II. "Ukraine remains open to an equal and honest dialogue," Sybiha wrote on social media following his meeting with Sikorski. "I proposed a package of anti-crisis steps. This includes initiating consultations between our foreign ministries, organizing a meeting of World War II expert historians who participated in the Polish-Ukrainian Congress of Historians in May, and reaching out to the religious leaders of both nations to leverage their autho…

Poland and Ukraine’s bloody past overshadows their anti-Russia alliance WARSAW — Poland and Ukraine are close allies when it comes to defeating their common enemy Russia, but their own bloodstained history is now straining Kyiv-Warsaw relations. During World War II a guerrilla group called the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (known by its Ukrainian acronym, UPA) slaughtered tens of thousands of Poles in an effort to ethnically cleanse lands that had been part of Poland before the war but are now in western Ukraine. Thousands of Ukrainians died in retaliatory attacks; some Ukrainian historians blamed the killings in part on long-standing Polish repression of Ukrainian national aspirations before the war. Advertisement Responsibility for the killings, known in Poland as the Volhynia Massacre, is a continued sore point between Warsaw and Kyiv, and in recent weeks has risen to the top of the political agenda in both capitals. Poland is even threatening to block Ukraine’s future membership of the European Union until Kyiv takes responsibility for the killings and allows for the exhumation and reburial of thousands of victims. “Ukraine will not join the European Union … unless the issue is set…

Poland-Ukraine relations deteriorate as historical grievances resurface ... Poland-Ukraine relations deteriorate as historical grievances resurface, threatening to stall Kyiv’s EU accession by Dinara Khalilova October 1, 2024 9:09 PM (Updated: October 10, 2024 11:29 am ) 11 min read President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda commemorate the victims of the Volyn Massacre in the Ukrainian city of Lutsk on July 9. (President Volodymyr Zelensky/Telegram) Poland Prefer on Google by Dinara Khalilova The meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski on Sept. 13 in Kyiv did not exactly go as planned. Sikorski demanded Ukraine finally allow the exhumation of the victims of the Volyn massacre in World War II and warned against expecting a quick EU accession , sparking frustration from Zelensky, according to the Kyiv Independent's sources familiar with the matter. Ukraine's president reportedly accused Warsaw of politicizing historical events, falling short on promised military aid , and not fully backing Ukraine's path to EU membership. Zelensky later shared a negative opinion about the meeting with a number of people b…

European Parliament lambasts Zelensky for 'unprovoked escalation ... Europe European Parliament lambasts Zelensky for 'unprovoked escalation' against Poland July 8, 2026 6:06 pm • 2 min read Prefer on Google by Chris Powers Members of the European Parliament stand in the plenary chamber in Strasbourg, May 2025. Photo: Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa. European lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on July 8 to amend a report on Ukraine to criticize President Volodymyr Zelensky for his decision to rename an elite military unit after a Ukrainian group that Poland says killed tens of thousands of ethnic Poles during World War Two. Diplomatic tensions between Kyiv and Warsaw flared after Zelensky named a military unit after the Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) on May 26. The UPA waged a protracted struggle for Ukraine’s independence against the Soviets during and after World War II. However, the group's legacy remains contentious in Poland due to some of its members' involvement in the mass killings of Poles in then Nazi-occupied western Ukraine. The European Parliament "regrets the recent unnecessary and unprovoked escalation by President Volodymyr Zelensky by renaming an elite military…

Poland and Ukraine are Fighting the Past, and Only Moscow Gains In brief:Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decision to grant an elite military unit the honorary title “Heroes of the UPA” has sparked a diplomatic dispute with Poland. While Ukraine views the UPA as independence fighters, Poland associates it with wartime massacres of Polish civilians. The controversy highlights enduring historical tensions and reflects broader shifts in Ukrainian wartime nationalism and Polish-Ukrainian relations. When Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded an elite Ukrainian military unit the honorary title “Heroes of the UPA” this week, the move triggered an immediate backlash in Poland. President Karol Nawrocki responded by calling for Zelenskyy to be stripped of Poland’s highest state distinction, turning a long-running historical dispute into a fresh diplomatic row between two of Europe’s closest wartime partners. The argument centers on the legacy of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, or UPA, a nationalist formation whose place in public memory in each country could not be more different. Follow our coverage of the war on the@Kyivpost_official. In Ukraine, the UPA is widely associated with the str…

Bitter Historical Feud Threatens Ukraine-Poland Alliance Advertisement SKIP ADVERTISEMENT The two neighbors wholeheartedly support allying with the West and cooperating closely on military affairs, and are fully in agreement today in opposing Russian expansionism. But history gets in the way. Tensions between Poland and Ukraine escalated sharply on Saturday over a rancorous dispute over the commemoration of World War II-era figures. Poland’s president, Karol Nawrocki, said he would revoke his country’s highest state award, which was given to President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine — and then Mr. Zelensky said he would return it first. The blowup was set off by Mr. Zelensky’s signing of a decree on May 26 in honor of World War II Ukrainian nationalist fighters whom Poles hold responsible for the killing of tens of thousands of Polish civilians. The fighters were in the Ukrainian Partisan Army, which in 1943 committed what Poland remembers as the Volhynia Genocide. Ukrainians remember them for fighting against the Soviet Union. The rupture over history risks one of the closest alliances in Eastern Europe in maintaining the eastern front against Russia, a priority for NATO. Much of t…