Following a meeting with the head of President Zelensky’s office, Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz declared that honoring UPA units crosses a red line in Polish-Ukrainian relations that cannot be ignored.
The Polish Stance on UPA Honors
During a meeting with General Kyrylo Budanov, head of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz firmly presented Poland’s expectations regarding the recent decision to name a military unit after the UPA. Writing on X on Saturday, June 6, the minister emphasized that memory of the Volhynia massacre victims remains non-negotiable and that there are boundaries that must not be crossed.
Diplomatic Tensions Over Historical Memory
The controversy stems from President Zelensky’s decision last week to name a Ukrainian armed forces unit after the “Heroes of the UPA.” The move has drawn widespread criticism from Polish officials. Beyond the meeting with Kosiniak-Kamysz, Budanov held discussions regarding the issue with the head of the International Policy Bureau, Marcin Przydacz.
Government Appeals for Historical Truth
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maciej Wewiór stated that Deputy Minister Marcin Bosacki conveyed Poland’s position during a meeting with the Ukrainian representative on Friday. Bosacki highlighted that the decree caused pain and outrage within Polish society, which has supported Ukraine since the onset of Russian aggression. He stressed that bilateral relations must be built on historical truth, respect for victims, and open dialogue.
