The Polish government has publicly demanded that the Ukrainian authorities provide an official reaction to the decree by the Lviv Regional Council, which declared 2027 the Year of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), its commander Roman Shukhevych, and Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists activist Oleh Olzhych. According to RBC-Ukraine, this was stated by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in a commentary to radio station RMF24, as well as by Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in a post on the social media platform X. Both politicians criticized the decision and urged Kyiv to distance itself from it.
“Suicidal Tactic”: Donald Tusk's Assessment
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the Lviv Regional Council's decree “foolish” and “harmful to Ukraine.” According to him, such a decision contradicts Ukraine's own interests and could complicate its interaction with international partners. Tusk emphasized that he had previously discussed this issue with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and warned that such steps create additional difficulties for parties supporting Kyiv. “At such moments, the Russians are always rubbing their hands,” the Polish prime minister stated, adding that opponents of Ukraine's accession to the European Union receive additional arguments to criticize Kyiv. He urged Ukrainian partners not to allow such situations and called this policy a “suicidal tactic.”
Polish Defense Minister Calls for Disassociation
Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in his X post also criticized the Lviv Regional Council's decree. He stated that such a decision is “unacceptable” and does not contribute to strengthening trust between Ukrainians and Poles, but rather deepens the divide between the two nations. Kosiniak-Kamysz stressed that the Ukrainian authorities must distance themselves from this position.
Diplomatic Channel: Assurances That the Decree Will Not Take Effect
Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Bosacki stated on TVN24 television that Warsaw has received assurances from Volodymyr Zelenskyy's closest associates that the Lviv Regional Council's decree will not come into force. Thus, diplomatic work is already underway to neutralize the consequences of the decision, although public statements by Polish politicians indicate that Warsaw expects a formal and official reaction from Kyiv.
Context: Historical Disputes and Their Impact on Cooperation
Tusk recalled that Poland and Ukraine made significant efforts to rebuild relations after the previous crisis related to historical issues, and that Zelenskyy also joined this process. In his opinion, the Lviv Regional Council's decision could negate the results of this work, and Ukraine will feel the consequences of the decree first. According to RBC-Ukraine, historical disputes and mutual distrust between the two countries are already affecting defense cooperation: disagreements impact ammunition supplies, the participation of Polish military personnel in exercises, and logistical interaction. Relations between Ukraine and Poland remain important for Kyiv's European integration, yet they are periodically complicated by discussions surrounding historical figures, including Stepan Bandera, as well as trade and transport issues.
