---
title: "Kosiniak-Kamysz issues ultimatum to Kyiv: 'Memory of Volhynia victims is non-negotiable'"
description: "Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz has issued a stern response to Kyiv regarding the naming of a unit after the Heroes of the UPA. Warsaw has declared the memory of Volhynia victims inviolable and threatened the partnership if Kyiv does not reconsider its decision. 🇺🇦🇵🇱⚔️"
date: 2026-06-06T13:34:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/kosiniak-kamysz-ultimatum-kyiv-memory-volhynia-victims-non-negotiable
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Kosiniak-Kamysz issues ultimatum to Kyiv: 'Memory of Volhynia victims is non-negotiable'

![Marcin Kosiniak-Kamysz in front of the Polish coat of arms during a speech about the memory of Volhynia victims](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/06/kosiniak-kamysh-ultimatum-kievu-pamyat-o-zhertvah-volyini/kosiniak-kamysh-ultimatum-kievu-pamyat-o-zhertvah-volyini-1.webp)

A serious crisis is brewing in relations between Warsaw and Kyiv, triggered by historical disagreements. Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz has firmly outlined his country's position regarding the Ukrainian military unit's decision to adopt the name 'Heroes of the UPA'. According to the head of the Polish defense department, historical memory has its 'red lines' which must not be crossed.

### 'We must tell each other the truth'

In his post on the social network X (formerly Twitter), Kosiniak-Kamysz highlighted the duality of current relations. On one hand, Warsaw and Kyiv are strategic partners in the field of security. On the other — historical issues require honesty, without which it is impossible to build a common future.

'Poland and Ukraine are partners in security matters. But when it comes to historical issues, we must tell each other the truth, because only then can we build the future,' wrote the Deputy Prime Minister.

The Minister placed particular emphasis on his personal meeting with the head of the President of Ukraine's Office, Kyrylo Budanov. It was during this dialogue that Kosiniak-Kamysz clearly outlined Warsaw's expectations regarding Kyiv's decision to rename the unit.

### Volhynian tragedy as a boundary

The reaction of the Polish side was a response to the decree of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dated May 26, by which the Separate Center for Special Operations 'North' was awarded the title 'named after the Heroes of the UPA'. For the Ukrainian side, this decision became a symbol of the struggle against Russian imperial policy and occupation, as confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

However, in Poland, this step was perceived painfully. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland summoned the Ambassador of Ukraine, Vasyl Bodnar, to express a protest. In the Polish political establishment, there were talks of possible sanctions, including the deprivation of Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle.

Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, despite criticism within the country, spoke against the deprivation of the order, but called on Kyiv to cancel the decree on renaming. In an open letter to the Ukrainian people, he tried to explain Warsaw's position, noting that Poland does not demand that Kyiv renounce its own history, but insists on respect for the memory of the victims.

'The memory of the victims of Volhynia is non-negotiable. There are boundaries that cannot be crossed,' emphasized the head of the Polish Ministry of Defense, pointing out the main cause of diplomatic tension.