Kwaśniewski: Reckless Disputes Are Undermining Vital Poland-Ukraine Relations

Former President Aleksander Kwaśniewski warns that escalating historical conflicts and radical rhetoric from both Warsaw and Kyiv threaten long-term stability for Poland, Ukraine, and the wider European community.

The Cost of Historical Disputes

Aleksander Kwaśniewski expressed deep concern over the deteriorating state of Polish-Ukrainian relations, noting that recent actions could have long-term consequences. He lamented that both nations are unnecessarily destroying a vital partnership that should have been cultivated through decades of dialogue regarding their difficult shared history.

Controversy Over the UPA

The former president criticized the Ukrainian decision to name a military unit after the UPA, noting that the organization is perceived very differently in Poland than in Ukraine. He suggested that if President Volodymyr Zelensky knowingly approved this decision, he should have anticipated a severe backlash from Polish circles.

The Withdrawal of the Order of the White Eagle

The dispute resulted in Karol Nawrocki stripping Zelensky of the Order of the White Eagle, prompting the Ukrainian president and other officials to return their Polish decorations. Nawrocki justified the move by citing the naming of the Ukrainian military unit, though he insisted the decision was not aimed at the Ukrainian people.

Warning Against Political Radicalization

Kwaśniewski cautioned that Polish-Ukrainian relations must not be left to radicals on either side, as they lack the patience and sensitivity required for diplomacy. He specifically targeted Karol Nawrocki, labeling him a radical who supports extremist groups such as Konfederacja, and warned against the dangerous use of the “anti-Ukrainian card” in domestic politics.