Poland urges review of partnerships with Ukrainian towns amid controversy

Jacek Międlar, a Polish commentator, called on X for Polish cities to immediately end cooperation with Ukrainian municipalities whose officials honour Stepan Bandera, the OUN and the UPA. He highlighted Wałbrzych’s partnership with Boryslav since 2009, noting that Boryslav’s mayor Igor Jaworski participates in Bandera‑related events and that the town grants honorary citizenship to Bandera and other Ukrainian nationalist figures, and houses a Bandera monument. Międlar urged a nationwide audit of all such partnerships.

Separately, Włodzimierz Czarzasty, Marshal of the Sejm and co‑leader of the New Left, addressed residents in Płock, stressing that Poland’s security is closely tied to a free Ukraine. He warned against growing anti‑Ukrainian sentiment, stating “No free Poland without a free Ukraine,” and stressed the economic contribution of Ukrainian workers, who make up about five percent of the Polish labour force and support sectors such as elder care, construction and agriculture.