Polish President Karol Nawrocki and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed issues of historical memory during meetings held on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara. Speaking on RMF FM, Marcin Przydacz, head of the International Policy Bureau of the Chancellery of the President of Poland, said Nawrocki had made it clear to Zelenskyy that he would not compromise on issues related to the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).
“On the first day, President Nawrocki had a brief and courteous meeting with President Zelenskyy. Afterwards, Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked President Nawrocki for a longer conversation. The president agreed to sit down, explain certain issues and (…) the reasons behind his actions, which had outraged public opinion in Poland,” Przydacz said.
According to him, public opinion in Ukraine does not understand Poland’s position regarding the UPA. Therefore, during his first meeting with Zelenskyy in Warsaw, Nawrocki presented him with two books on Polish-Ukrainian relations during World War Two. Przydacz said it was possible that Zelenskyy had not read them.
The current deterioration in relations between Poland and Ukraine was triggered after Zelenskyy awarded one of Ukraine’s military units the honorary title “Heroes of the UPA.”
Przydacz added that during the second meeting, which lasted about an hour, Zelenskyy “was presented with historical facts and was told why Polish public opinion is outraged.” According to the presidential official, Zelenskyy “was unaware of many of these issues and learned about them during his conversation with the historian, as President Nawrocki holds a doctorate in history. They also discussed further steps. Russia was not the main topic. They mainly discussed bilateral relations.”
“The president made it clear to Zelenskyy that the issue of the UPA’s legacy is not open for discussion and that Poland will not change its position. Ukraine must understand that every time it glorifies UPA criminals, Poland will respond. This will only worsen relations. Ukraine must decide whether it wants good or bad relations with Poland,” Przydacz said.
He added that Zelenskyy understands Poland’s position. At the same time, he stressed that the key question is whether the Ukrainian political elite genuinely wants to join the European Union.
“Poland continues to assist Ukraine. If the Ukrainian side does not want Poland to help it and support its integration into the European Union, it should simply say so. Then no one in Poland will lift a finger.
We take a broader view. They are fighting Russia, and Russia poses a threat, so we helped. When mothers with children fled Ukraine in 2022, many Poles helped them out of a sense of moral duty and compassion. If Mr Kyrylo Budanov does not appreciate what Poland has done for Ukraine, we will take appropriate measures in the future,” Przydacz added, commenting on an interview by the head of Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence, who said Ukraine would not tolerate ultimatums and that tensions between Warsaw and Kyiv could reach a peak because of the actions of the Polish authorities.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X that he had spoken with Nawrocki for more than an hour. He described the conversation as important and necessary.
“We face one common threat – Russia. It is critically important to maintain mutual understanding, support and unity of action. Our countries need only strong relations. We agreed to continue our dialogue,” he wrote.
