European Parliament to Debate Ukraine’s EU Bid Amid UPA Controversy

The European Parliament will hold a debate in Strasbourg this Tuesday regarding Ukraine’s EU accession process, with multiple political groups proposing resolutions criticizing President Zelenskyy’s recent decision to rename a military unit after the UPA.

Political Divisions Over UPA Recognition

Major political factions, including the EPP, S&D, ECR, and Patriots for Europe, have submitted amendments to the resolution condemning the designation of a Ukrainian military unit as “Heroes of the UPA.” Lawmakers argue this move ignores Polish sensitivities regarding the Volhynia massacre.

Andrzej Halicki, head of the Polish delegation in the EPP, described the consensus among factions as a clear and positive signal that the issue cannot be ignored. He suggested that addressing this in the European Parliament serves as a serious warning to the Ukrainian president.

Proposed Parliamentary Resolutions

The EPP has proposed that the Parliament declare the naming decision unnecessary and unprovoked. Meanwhile, the S&D group, while supporting the need for a firm stance, emphasized the importance of good-neighborly relations and Poland’s role in supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression, acknowledging the pain this issue causes for Polish families.

The ECR group is calling for a halt to further negotiation clusters until Ukraine officially recognizes the UPA’s role in ethnic cleansing and atrocities against Polish and Jewish populations. They demand a formal condemnation of the UPA’s ideology and symbols, noting the historical death toll of approximately 100,000 Poles.

Ongoing Efforts on Exhumations

The Patriots for Europe group urged an end to the public glorification of historical figures responsible for civilian massacres. The European Parliament previously addressed the Volhynia crimes in a resolution last year, which welcomed ongoing bilateral talks that led to the resumption of exhumations of Polish citizens in Ukraine in April 2025.