Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has decided not to participate in the Ukraine Recovery Conference taking place in Gdańsk, Poland, due to rising tensions between Ukraine and Poland over a contentious historical matter. The conference, which seeks to rally international backing and investments for Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction efforts, will see Ukraine represented by a delegation led by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.
The friction stems from Zelenskyy’s recent decision to name a Ukrainian military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). This group is seen by many in Ukraine as part of their struggle for independence, yet in Poland, it is associated with the deaths of thousands of Poles during World War II. The move has drawn sharp criticism from Polish officials, notably President Karol Nawrocki, who has accused Ukraine of disregarding Poland’s historical suffering.
This historical dispute has put a strain on the relationship between Ukraine and Poland, countries that have otherwise been closely aligned against the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Zelenskyy has defended the naming decision, arguing that military units should have the autonomy to select names that resonate with Ukrainian history. He also cautioned that letting political disagreements fester could undermine the crucial collaboration between Ukraine and Poland amid ongoing security threats.
Amid these tensions, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has called on both nations to de-escalate the situation, emphasizing that their strategic partnership should not be jeopardized by individual disagreements. European officials have echoed this sentiment, warning that deteriorating relations between the two neighboring countries could play into Russia’s hands. They stressed the importance of maintaining strong cooperation between Ukraine and Poland during such challenging times.