The Sejmik of the Lublin Voivodeship in Poland has unanimously terminated the cooperation agreement with the Lviv Oblast of Ukraine, which had been in effect since 2004. All 30 deputies present at the session voted in favor of the termination, while three were absent. The decision was made as a direct response to a resolution by the Lviv Regional Council dated October 20, which proclaimed 2027 as the 'Year of the UPA, Roman Shukhevych, and Oleh Olzhych.' This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing Polskie Radio Lublin.
Unanimous Decision by the Sejmik
The terminated agreement, which had been in force for over two decades, provided for cooperation between the two regions in the fields of economy, trade, science, education, and culture. Thus, the Lublin Voivodeship has effectively dismantled the institutional channel of cooperation with the Lviv region that had functioned since 2004. The vote passed without a single opposing vote among those present, underlining the regional parliament's consolidated position on the matter.
Reaction to the 'UPA Year' and the Volhynia Issue
Voivodeship Marshal Jarosław Stawiarski explained the decision by stating that the Lviv Regional Council 'has not renounced the commemoration of people who killed Poles,' and therefore cooperation is being terminated immediately. According to him, swift action is necessary so that 'neighbors whom we have helped and are helping will come to their senses.' Stawiarski described the events of 1943–1944 in Volhynia as a brutal genocide for which, he claimed, no one has apologized. Deputy Sejmik Chairman Krzysztof Gałaszkiewicz from the Law and Justice party specified that Lviv was given until Monday, October 26, to annul the decision, but this did not happen.
Party Positions and Future Prospects of Relations
At the same time, more restrained assessments were voiced within the sejmik. Zofia Woźnica, head of the Civic Coalition faction, reminded that Poles welcomed millions of Ukrainian mothers with children after the start of the war, noting that if Lviv revokes its decision, cooperation could be reconsidered, as the region enjoys good relations with western Ukraine. Marek Kos, leader of the Polish People's Party faction, also expressed the view that relations between neighbors 'will somehow work out,' but Poland cannot agree to the commemoration of the UPA. Thus, the termination of the agreement was presented as a gesture that leaves open the possibility of restoring dialogue if the disputed resolution is cancelled.
Response in Warsaw and Kyiv
The Lviv Regional Council's resolution provoked a sharp reaction in Poland: Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that it irritates Poles and harms Ukraine's interests, and Poland is preparing to declare the initiator, Svyatoslav Sheremeta, persona non grata. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry called the regional council's decision counterproductive. At the same time, Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Bosacki reported that the Office of the President of Ukraine assured Warsaw that the decision will not enter into force. Concurrently, the Polish Ministry of Defense denied information about suspending the transfer of a weapons package to Ukraine due to this scandal.
