The unilateral interpretation and politicization of the historical discourse with Ukraine in Poland are negatively impacting the partnership between the two countries and ultimately serve the interests of Russia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stated.
This declaration followed a roundtable discussion chaired by Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, involving historians and experts on Ukrainian-Polish relations, according to a communiqué from the Ministry in Kyiv.
The statement emphasized that Sybiha, in his remarks, highlighted Poland’s comprehensive support for Ukraine since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion. He described this support as a testament to genuine solidarity and strategic partnership between the two nations.
“Our relationship with neighboring Poland is of utmost importance, both in terms of shared interests and in the context of current challenges and threats arising from ongoing Russian military aggression,” the minister said.
“At the same time, recent developments show an increasing tendency among certain Polish politicians and political groups to interpret and politicize the historical discourse with Ukraine in a one-sided manner. This, in turn, has a detrimental effect on the development of the Ukrainian-Polish partnership and, in fact, plays into the hands of the Russian aggressor,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine declared.
“Given the sensitivity of historical issues in Ukrainian-Polish relations, and the emergence of dangerous trends shifting strictly historical matters into the political realm, participants of the discussion found it appropriate to propose that the Polish side resume the activities of the Ukrainian-Polish Historians’ Forum and the Partnership Forum. These platforms would serve to foster constructive dialogue, move sensitive issues into the sphere of professional debate with Polish historians, strengthen objectivity in assessing shared historical events, seek ways to prevent provocations, and counteract disinformation and the public incitement of hostility between the peoples of Ukraine and Poland,” the Ministry added.
Does Ukraine consider that remembrance of the genocide committed by the UPA in Volhynia (and elsewhere), as well as efforts to locate and properly commemorate the victims of these crimes, harm Polish-Ukrainian relations? Unfortunately, one might get that impression.