**Zelensky to Skip Ukraine Recovery Conference in Poland Amid Diplomatic Tensions**
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky will not attend the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference scheduled for June 25-26 in Gdansk, Poland. The decision was made to prevent potential controversies during the event, according to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry. This announcement comes amid escalating diplomatic tensions between Ukraine and Poland, particularly surrounding the commemoration of a controversial wartime unit.
The tensions have intensified following Zelensky's recent decision to name a special-forces unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a group that collaborated with Nazi Germany during World War II. The UPA is known for its involvement in violent actions against Polish civilians, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands. This move sparked outrage in Poland, leading Polish President Karol Nawrocki to revoke Zelensky's Order of the White Eagle, the country’s highest honor.
In response to the situation, several senior Ukrainian officials have also renounced their Polish honors, indicating a significant diplomatic rift between the two nations. Nawrocki emphasized the importance of historical accuracy, stating that “historical truth is not and can never be a bargaining chip,” and reiterated the Polish state's moral obligation to remember the victims of wartime atrocities.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko confirmed that she will lead the Ukrainian delegation in Zelensky's absence. Foreign Ministry spokesman Georgy Tikhiy described the decision as “absolutely justified,” aiming to keep the conference focused on pragmatic economic discussions rather than political disputes. Tikhiy expressed hope for a successful conference despite the ongoing tensions with the Polish leadership.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who is a political rival of President Nawrocki, suggested that Zelensky's absence might actually benefit the conference. He noted that the recent tensions between the two countries had led to an unnecessary escalation of emotions and that the absence might facilitate a more efficient dialogue. Tusk previously characterized the dispute as a “strategic mistake” that could have repercussions for both nations in terms of business, geopolitical standing, and reputational damage.
The ongoing diplomatic friction has also drawn attention from Moscow, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commenting on the situation. Peskov referred to the nationalists honored by Kiev as “absolute bloody butchers” responsible for the deaths of many Poles and Jews, further complicating the narrative surrounding Ukraine's recent commemorative actions.
As the Ukraine Recovery Conference approaches, the focus will remain on the economic recovery efforts for Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. The absence of Zelensky may shift the dynamics of the conference, but Ukrainian officials remain optimistic about the potential outcomes of the event, despite the backdrop of political tensions.