Is Poland Ready for Ukrainian Nationalism?

The naming of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) as a patron for an elite military unit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ignited a fierce debate within Poland's political sphere. The author contends that the Polish political class's reaction has been largely emotional rather than pragmatic, despite the issue not being new and likely to escalate. The core of the argument is that Zelenskyy's move was driven by current political objectives, not solely by historical sentiment.

Instead of symbolic gestures like revoking Poland's highest honor, the Order of the White Eagle, from Zelenskyy, the author proposes a more strategic political response. This could involve setting conditions for Ukraine's EU accession, leveraging Poland's influence. The piece suggests that ordinary Poles are more pragmatic about Polish-Ukrainian relations than their politicians, with polls indicating a prioritization of resolving historical disputes. The author challenges the notion that historical issues like the Volhynia massacre or reparations are inherently polarizing among the general populace, suggesting that political actors are driven by extremist voter bases.

Furthermore, the article criticizes Poland's perceived absence of a coherent historical policy, describing it as reactive and catering to niche domestic audiences. The author questions how "progressive intellectuals" reconcile their nuanced views on Zelenskyy's decisions with warnings about Polish nationalism. A call is made for a historical policy that is both consistent and sophisticated, characterized as agile, intelligent, and assertive, rather than hysterical. The piece dismisses the idea that Poland would refuse to participate in Ukraine's reconstruction due to historical disagreements, emphasizing that unresolved historical disputes, rather than the disputes themselves, serve Russia's interests.

The author addresses two prevailing myths: first, that the dispute over Volhynia benefits Russia. While acknowledging that an unresolved dispute does serve Russia, the article questions Ukraine's willingness to genuinely resolve it. Second, the myth that Poland will withhold reconstruction aid over historical issues is challenged. The piece concludes by stressing the need for Poland to articulate its positions and expectations clearly for an international audience, expressing doubt that revoking the Order of the White Eagle would be an effective communication strategy for those unfamiliar with the context.