Tuesday, 02 January 2024 12:17 GMT

Polish PM Calls for Talks with Zelenskyy Over Military Unit Naming Dispute


(MENAFN) Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Monday urged direct discussions between Polish President Karol Nawrocki and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following controversy surrounding Kyiv’s decision to name a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.

The move has drawn criticism in Poland because the UPA is widely associated with the killing of tens of thousands of ethnic Poles during World War II.

In a message posted on the US social media platform X, Tusk called for “a direct and sincere conversation before emotions destroy the solidarity that was born in the face of the Russian threat.”

He stressed the importance of maintaining cooperation between the two neighboring countries, adding: “Cooperation is in the interest of both our states and nations, while conflict serves Moscow's interests. That should be obvious to all of us.”

The dispute stems from a decree signed on May 26 by Zelenskyy, granting a Ukrainian special operations unit the honorary title “Heroes of the UPA.” The Ukrainian president described the decision as part of efforts to revive the historical traditions of the country's national military forces.

The announcement sparked strong reactions across Poland’s political landscape, with critics objecting to honoring a group that remains deeply controversial in Polish historical memory.

MENAFN08062026000045017640ID1111227139



MENAFN

Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

Search