Ukraine and Poland face diplomatic strain over WWII historical memory

Relations between Ukraine and Poland have become strained due to disputes over historical figures and WWII-era nationalist groups. The tension escalated after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky decided to name a military unit after the ‘Heroes of the UPA’, the armed wing of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists.

In response, Polish President Karol Nawrocki revoked the Order of the White Eagle award previously granted to Zelensky. This controversy follows Zelensky’s decision to re-inter the remains of OUN leader Andriy Melnyk with military honors and his announcement of a planned pantheon for Ukrainian national heroes.

The friction has political implications in Poland, where the populist-nationalist right opposition is using the issue to challenge the centrist government. This includes questioning military aid transfers, such as Patriot interceptor missiles, to Kyiv. The dispute over historical justice regarding the Volhynia massacres is expected to be a significant factor in Polish parliamentary elections held by October 2027.