Ukrainian politician: Zelensky should have consulted Poland more on UPA honors

A Ukrainian politician has weighed in on the controversy surrounding President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision to grant honorary titles to military units associated with the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), suggesting Zelensky should have better anticipated and managed Poland's reaction. The politician expressed confusion over the intensity of Poland's response, noting that UPA-related references are common in Ukraine and that Polish sensitivities are understood.

“

Frankly, I don't understand why this particular decision caused such a stormy reaction in Poland. I think it wasn't the cause, but a pretext.

"We should stick to the words of John Paul II, who said: 'We forgive and ask for forgiveness.' I see no other solution," the politician stated, advocating for a focus on future cooperation rather than dwelling on past historical conflicts. The politician suggested that internal Polish politics, specifically President Andrzej Duda's actions, might have been a pretext for the strong reaction, pointing out that Stepan Bandera and UPA street names are prevalent in western Ukraine without causing similar diplomatic rifts.

“

We should stick to the words of John Paul II, who said: 'We forgive and ask for forgiveness.' I see no other solution. We cannot argue about who killed whom and in what quantities decades ago. This is a dead end. We need to talk more about the future than the past.

While acknowledging that Ukraine could have done more to communicate and reach an agreement with Poland, the politician believes both Zelensky and Polish President Duda were making moves for domestic political gain. This has led to a significant crisis in bilateral relations, which is detrimental to both nations, but particularly to Ukraine, which is engaged in an existential war with Russia. The politician warned that a Ukrainian defeat would pose a direct threat to Poland's security.

“

I don't have an answer to that question, because I am not part of Zelensky's team. I also don't know how this decision was made. However, I believe that for Polish President Karol Nawrocki, it was just a pretext. If there had been no decision by Zelensky, another reason would have been found.

The politician also commented on Poland's decision to return the Order of the White Eagle, calling it inappropriate. Citing a poll indicating a majority of Poles' negative sentiment towards Ukraine following Zelensky's decision, the politician questioned whether political leaders should always follow public opinion on sensitive matters, likening public sentiment to that of a child that requires adult guidance.

“

Both Nawrocki and Zelensky are taking steps to gain additional points within their own countries. As a consequence, a serious crisis has arisen in our relations, from which nothing good follows for either Ukraine or Poland.