Ukraine proposes historian and clergy talks with Poland to ease UPA‑related tensions

Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrijs Sibiha announced a set of confidence‑building measures aimed at normalising relations with Poland after a dispute over the legacy of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). The proposal includes starting consultations between the two foreign ministries, involving a World‑War‑II historian‑expert who attended a recent Polish‑Ukrainian historians’ congress, organising a joint meeting of the historians, and asking religious leaders from both countries to use their authority in a bilateral dialogue.

The tension stems from Poland’s criticism of Ukraine’s decision on 26 May to name the Special Operations Forces unit “Ziemeļi” after “UPA heroes”, a move Kyiv says does not carry anti‑Polish intent. Poland’s president Karols Navrockis previously revoked Ukraine’s White Eagle award, and Polish public opinion recalls the Volhynia massacres in which UPA units killed an estimated 60‑100 thousand Polish civilians, with retaliatory killings of several thousand Ukrainians. Ukraine stresses respect for all histories and hopes the proposed talks will address these sensitive historical issues.