Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has decided not to participate in the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Poland, a move that comes amid rising tensions between Kyiv and Warsaw over a controversial historical issue. The conference, which aims to rally international support and investment for Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction, will see Ukraine represented by a delegation led by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. This event is taking place in Gdańsk, Poland.
The friction between the two nations stems from Zelenskyy’s recent approval to name a Ukrainian military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). While many Ukrainians see the UPA as part of their struggle for independence, it is associated in Poland with the wartime deaths of thousands of Polish citizens. This decision has drawn criticism from Polish officials, including President Karol Nawrocki, who accused Ukraine of disregarding historical suffering, thus straining the relationship between the countries despite their joint efforts against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Zelenskyy has defended his decision, asserting that military units should have the autonomy to select names linked to Ukrainian history. He also cautioned that allowing political disagreements to fester could undermine the cooperation between Ukraine and Poland, which is crucial given the current security concerns in the region.
In response to these tensions, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has called on both parties to de-escalate, emphasizing that such disagreements should not harm the strategic partnership they share. European officials have echoed this sentiment, warning that any deterioration in Ukraine-Poland relations could play into Russia’s hands and urging the two neighboring allies to maintain their collaborative efforts.