Mykola Riabchuk calls for freeze on UPA historical debate

Ukrainian writer and essayist Mykola Riabchuk has called for a temporary freeze on historical debates regarding the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) until the ongoing war with Russia concludes. Speaking in an interview with the Polish Press Agency (PAP), Riabchuk suggested that the current geopolitical climate makes a constructive discussion on such sensitive history difficult.

Riabchuk criticized what he described as a wave of aggression and "silent fascism" within certain Polish right-wing circles toward Ukrainians. He argued that some political groups exploit anti-Ukrainian sentiment as electoral fuel. While acknowledging the deep historical wounds, such as the Volhynia massacre, he noted that the Ukrainian public is currently focused on the war, creating a disconnect with Polish historical concerns.

However, the discourse remains complex; while Riabchuk advocates for pausing the debate to maintain stability, he also noted that the Ukrainian government’s decisions regarding UPA honors can inadvertently provide ammunition to radical elements in Poland.