---
title: "UPA Scandal: Georgiy Tikhy Explains to Poland Who Actually Benefits from Our Disputes"
description: "Kyiv responds to Warsaw over the UPA scandal: MFA spokesperson Georgiy Tikhy reminds that only Moscow benefits from neighborly disputes. 🇺🇦🤝🇵🇱 The diplomat urges not to politicize history during wartime and notes that the Polish Sejm rejected the president’s proposal to criminalize OUN symbolism."
date: 2026-05-29T20:08:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/upa-scandal-mid-responds-to-poland-and-reminds-who-benefits-from-disputes
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# UPA Scandal: Georgiy Tikhy Explains to Poland Who Actually Benefits from Our Disputes

![Georgiy Tikhy, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, makes a statement against the backdrop of the Ukrainian flag](https://xab.info/media/2026/05/29/skandal-vokrug-upa-mid-otvetil-polshche-i-napomnil-kto-vyigrivaet-ot-sporov/georgiy-tikhiy-press-conference-ukraine-flag.webp)

Kyiv has delivered a firm yet balanced response to Warsaw regarding the latest round of historical debate. The initiative to name a Ukrainian Armed Forces unit after UPA heroes was not intended to offend the Polish people. This was stated by Georgiy Tikhy, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, in an interview with journalists, shedding light on the background of the conflict.

### Fighting the Empire, Not Neighbors

According to the diplomat, for Ukrainians, the UPA is primarily a symbol of the struggle against Moscow’s imperial expansion. "We acknowledge that the history of our two peoples has different chapters — both glorious and tragic," Tikhy emphasized. He recalled that at various times, Ukrainians and Poles jointly achieved victories over a common enemy: from the Battle of Orsha to the "Miracle on the Vistula."

However, Kyiv does not turn a blind eye to the dark spots of the past. The MFA spokesperson acknowledged that during World War II, military formations of both countries committed crimes against the civilian population. But, in his opinion, these tragic pages should not become tools for inciting new discord.

### Moscow — The Main Beneficiary of Disputes

Georgiy Tikhy expressed regret that Warsaw’s sharp reaction to the renaming of the unit occurred despite the positive dynamics observed over the past year and a half. During this time, both sides made significant efforts to establish dialogue: the exhumation process was restored, and the Congress of Historians resumed its work.

"Our history confirms that only Moscow benefits from disputes between Ukrainians and Poles," the diplomat summarized. He urged not to let disagreements over the past undermine unity in the fight against current Russian aggression, which Ukraine is resisting with Poland’s support.

### Political Context in Poland

It should be noted that the statement by Polish President Karol Nawrocki continued his tough rhetoric. Earlier, following the scandal with Max Korzh’s concert in Warsaw, the head of state proposed introducing criminal liability for using OUN-UPA symbolism. However, the Polish Sejm did not support the country leader’s initiative: only 198 deputies voted for the "anti-Banderite" bill, while 244 parliamentarians opposed it.