Professor Przemysław Czarnek, Law and Justice (PiS) candidate for prime minister, commented on the latest social media post by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding relations with Poland. According to Czarnek, the change in Kyiv’s tone is the result of the firm stance taken by Polish President Karol Nawrocki.
Czarnek: Concrete Decisions Are Needed
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on social media that he had held a meeting on Ukraine’s policy toward Poland. He stressed that maintaining good, partner-based relations founded on mutual respect remains a priority for both countries. Zelenskyy also recalled the support Poland provided to Ukraine following the launch of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Professor Przemysław Czarnek, Law and Justice (PiS) candidate for prime minister, responded to the Ukrainian president’s statement, arguing that declarations alone are insufficient.
“Only pressure is effective. The firm stance of President Karol Nawrocki and the Polish right has forced President Zelenskyy to reflect. However, we are waiting for concrete decisions and for Ukraine to abandon the glorification of Banderism. Reflection alone is not enough,” Czarnek wrote.
In his post, the politician emphasized that he expects the Ukrainian authorities not only to declare their willingness to maintain good relations with Poland, but also to take tangible steps on unresolved historical issues. According to Czarnek, only such actions can provide a solid foundation for rebuilding trust between Warsaw and Kyiv.
Historical Dispute Remains at the Center
Zelenskyy’s signal that Ukraine is prepared to improve relations with Poland came nearly a month after President Karol Nawrocki’s widely discussed decision to revoke the Order of the White Eagle previously awarded to the Ukrainian leader. The Polish president said the decision was prompted by Kyiv’s approval of naming one of the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine after the “Heroes of the UPA.”
Nawrocki has repeatedly stated that the memory of the victims of the Volhynia massacres and opposition to the glorification of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) cannot become the subject of political compromise. His decision received strong public support in Poland. Rather than seeking to ease tensions, the Ukrainian authorities chose a confrontational approach and continued to vigorously defend the “heroes” of their interpretation of history.