Ukraine's accession to the European Union could be blocked by Warsaw if Kyiv does not change its policy regarding historical memory. This was stated by Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in an interview with Polsat News.
The Polish official outlined a hardline position: the use of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) as national symbols will become an insurmountable obstacle for Kyiv's integration into the EU. According to Kosiniak-Kamysz, the European community should not elevate those who undermine cooperation between countries to a pedestal.
Historical Figures as a Political Barrier
The head of the Polish military department left no room for ambiguity, stating: «Ukraine will not join the European Union with Bandera». He emphasized that Warsaw will not allow anyone to dictate how it votes on issues of bloc expansion. In the minister's opinion, building cooperation in the EU is impossible based on respect for figures that cause pain and rejection among neighbors, as well as spread falsehoods.
Kosiniak-Kamysz also supported the thesis that there are forces in Kyiv that are not interested in the country's accession to the European Union. He reminded that every candidate country must comply with strict requirements, including issues of historical memory.
Escalation of the Awards Conflict
The minister's statement came against the backdrop of a deterioration in diplomatic relations between the two countries. At the end of May, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree granting one of the Armed Forces units the name «Named after the Heroes of the UPA». This decision triggered a sharp reaction from Warsaw.
In response, Polish President Karol Nawrocki stripped Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle. The situation escalated into a diplomatic exchange of award refusals: both sides began canceling previously bestowed honors.
Political Pressure and Public Opinion
Against this backdrop, the leader of the «Law and Justice» party, Jarosław Kaczyński, called on the Warsaw government to block new rounds of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU. His calls are supported by sociological survey data, according to which the majority of Polish citizens are against expanding the bloc at the expense of Kyiv.
Thus, the issue of historical memory has become a key geopolitical lever capable of stopping Ukraine's integration process into the European Union.