Gdańsk conference on Ukraine's reconstruction marked by Zelenskyy's absence and UPA dispute

The Conference on the Reconstruction of Ukraine (URC) held in Gdańsk, Poland, unfolded with several unexpected elements, despite expectations that it would be overshadowed by recent Polish-Ukrainian diplomatic friction. Discussions with attendees revealed perspectives on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's absence and the unresolved dispute concerning the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).

Initially, the conference was anticipated to focus on damage control following a diplomatic spat. This crisis was triggered when Zelenskyy honored an elite military unit named after the UPA, leading to Polish President Karol Nawrocki revoking the Order of the White Eagle and the subsequent cancellation of Zelenskyy's visit to Poland. Reports also circulated regarding the conference's organization, including a lack of clarity on panel participants in the initial agenda.

Despite these underlying tensions, the event proceeded, featuring discussions on Ukraine's recovery. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda and Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko were among the high-profile attendees alongside Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The conference aimed to gather support and coordinate efforts for Ukraine's post-war rebuilding.

However, the lingering issue of the UPA, a historical Ukrainian nationalist organization responsible for massacres of Poles during World War II, remained a sensitive point. The Polish side has consistently demanded an apology or acknowledgment from Ukraine regarding these historical events. The conference's proceedings, while focused on future reconstruction, could not entirely escape the weight of historical grievances and ongoing political sensitivities between the two neighboring countries.