Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz issued an official statement on June 4, urging Kyiv to reconsider the glorification of the UPA, citing the deep historical pain caused to Poland.
Official Stance on Poland-Ukraine Relations
The Ministry of National Defense released a video statement by Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz on Wednesday, June 4, regarding bilateral relations. The ministry’s spokesperson confirmed that this message and a corresponding letter were sent directly to Ukrainian media.
The Minister reaffirmed that Poland has consistently supported Ukraine with humanitarian, military, and political aid since the Russian invasion began. He emphasized that a free Ukraine is vital for Polish and European security, yet noted that the decision to honor the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) triggers profound distress in Poland.
Historical Memory and the Volhynia Massacre
Kosiniak-Kamysz acknowledged that while some Ukrainians view the UPA as a symbol of resistance against Soviet oppression, for Poles, the organization remains synonymous with the atrocities of the Volhynia massacre.
He noted that between 1943 and 1945, tens of thousands of Polish civilians—including women, children, and the elderly—were murdered in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia. Many victims still lack marked graves, and the Minister stressed that this “genocide remains genocide,” and the pain of these events cannot be invalidated.
The Distinction Between History and Humanity
The defense chief clarified that UPA crimes were not the work of the entire Ukrainian nation. He paid tribute to Ukrainians who risked their lives to save Poles, calling them true heroes who chose humanity during a time of terror. He added that this makes the state-level glorification of the UPA by modern Ukraine all the more difficult for Poles to comprehend.
According to Kosiniak-Kamysz, contemporary Ukraine has its own authentic heroes—soldiers currently defending Kharkiv, the Donbas, and Zaporizhzhia against Russian aggression. He argued that these soldiers do not require patrons who divide allies and wound the memories of victims’ families.
Call for Reconsideration
The Minister urged Ukrainian authorities to reconsider the decision to honor the UPA, warning that it harms not only Polish-Ukrainian relations but also Ukraine itself. He proposed finding a way to honor modern soldiers that does not inflict pain on Polish citizens.
He emphasized that this is not an attempt to humiliate Ukraine, but a call for maturity and responsibility. While Poland remains committed to fighting Russian imperialism alongside Ukraine, he insisted that true friendship requires truth, and the state-sanctioned glorification of the UPA is unacceptable to Poles.
Diplomatic Fallout Over UPA Honors
Last week, President Zelenskyy named a military unit “Heroes of the UPA,” sparking significant controversy in Poland. In response, Karol Nawrocki, president of the Institute of National Remembrance, proposed that the Chapter of the Order of the White Eagle consider revoking the order granted to Zelenskyy in 2023.
On Tuesday evening, Kosiniak-Kamysz announced he would discuss the matter with his Ukrainian counterpart, Mykhailo Fedorov. By Wednesday, he confirmed he was in contact with the Ukrainian minister to formally communicate the Polish position.
