Photo: EPA
Tensions between Poland and Ukraine have escalated after Polish politicians intensified criticism of Kyiv over a recent naming decision involving a Ukrainian military unit.
Marcin Przydacz, head of the International Policy Bureau of the Polish president, said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should apologize to Polish President Karol Nawrocki after a Ukrainian special forces unit was given the honorary title “Heroes of UPA,” referring to the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.
Following this, Kшиштоф Босак, deputy speaker of the Sejm and leader of the far-right “Confederation” party, went further, suggesting that Poland should block Ukraine’s EU accession process until Kyiv changes its historical stance and allows full exhumation of victims of the Volhynia tragedy.
Bosak also argued that Poland should reconsider financial and technological support for Ukraine, including ending payments for Starlink services and limiting joint EU-backed financial assistance programs.
He claimed that Ukraine allegedly shows disrespect toward Polish political figures and accused Kyiv of perceiving Polish politicians as weak, saying this encourages further “provocations.”
The dispute comes amid already sensitive historical debates between the two countries, particularly regarding World War II-era events and the legacy of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.
Ukrainian officials have previously responded by saying that the naming decision was not intended to offend Poland and emphasized that both countries share a common security interest in opposing Russian aggression today.
