**Polish PM Announces Memorial for WWII Victims Amid Tensions with Ukraine**
Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk has declared plans to establish a national memorial dedicated to the victims of what he describes as a "genocide committed by Ukrainian nationalists" during World War II. This announcement coincided with the anniversary of the Volyn massacre, a tragic event in which it is estimated that around 100,000 ethnic Poles were killed by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) between 1943 and 1945 in the region that was then part of German-occupied Poland, now located in Ukraine.
The commemorative ceremony took place in Warsaw and other cities across Poland, highlighting the historical tensions between Poland and Ukraine regarding the events of that era. Tusk emphasized the importance of acknowledging the past, stating, "Truth is our duty toward the victims, but also a way to overcome a painful past for the sake of a better future." He urged Ukraine to recognize this historical truth as a step towards potential European Union membership.
The relationship between Poland and Ukraine has been strained over differing interpretations of the UPA's role during the war. Many Ukrainians view the UPA as freedom fighters who sought independence from Soviet and Nazi control, while Polish perspectives often focus on the atrocities committed against Polish citizens.
The announcement comes in the wake of a diplomatic dispute that escalated last month when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was stripped of Poland's highest state honor. This action was a response to Zelensky's decision to name a Ukrainian military unit after the UPA, which further inflamed tensions between the two nations.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki has expressed the need to address these historical grievances but reassured that Poland's support for Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia remains steadfast. Nawrocki emphasized that the historical disputes would not diminish Poland's commitment to aiding Ukraine during its struggle against the full-scale Russian invasion that began in 2022.
In response to Tusk's announcement, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha labeled the move a "strategic mistake," indicating the potential for further diplomatic fallout. In a show of solidarity with Zelensky, three former Ukrainian presidents returned their White Eagle awards to Poland, signaling discontent with the current state of relations.
Despite the tensions, Zelensky highlighted the importance of unity in his video address following the commemorative events. He noted that representatives from both nations participated in joint prayers to honor the victims of the Volyn killings and stressed the necessity of remembering the shared threat posed by Russia to both Ukraine and Poland. "We must not forget that now... Ukraine and Poland have one common threat, and this is a mortal threat to our independence, to our states, to every city, to every village, and this threat is called Russia," he stated.
As the situation continues to evolve, the establishment of the memorial may serve as a focal point for further discussions on historical reconciliation between Poland and Ukraine, while also reflecting the complexities of their shared past during one of history's darkest periods.