Poland‑Ukraine historical dispute heats up as NATO and US peace talks unfold

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that nationalist extremists on both sides are fuelling renewed tension between Poland and Ukraine over the recent naming of a Ukrainian military unit “Heroes of the UPA.” The UPA (Ukrainian Insurgent Army) is remembered in Poland for the 1943‑45 massacres of about 100,000 Polish civilians, while Kyiv views it as part of its liberation struggle. The decision led Poland to withdraw a state award from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and to exchange honors with Ukraine, prompting diplomatic friction.

At a NATO‑related meeting on the sidelines of the summit in Ankara, Presidents Andrzej Duda and Zelenskyy signaled willingness to de‑escalate, and Poland reaffirmed its role as a key logistical hub for weapons deliveries, including Patriot missiles. Meanwhile, a Kremlin adviser, Nikolay Patrushev, told Russian media that the United States, under President Donald Trump, wants peace in Ukraine but “euro‑nazis” are attempting to undermine the process. The remarks add a Russian perspective to the broader diplomatic contest surrounding the dispute.