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@kravietz @tvp_world

Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for the #Ukraine Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to enquiries from the #Poland media regarding the naming of a Ukrainian Armed Forces unit after #UPA heroes and addressed the sharp reaction from the Polish political scene to this move by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy:

We are seeing a strong reaction in Poland to the decision to name one of the Ukrainian military units in honour of UPA heroes. It is a pity that this is happening against the broader trend of resolving problematic issues in Ukrainian-Polish relations, which has been evident over the past year and a half. During this time, both sides have made considerable efforts to resolve difficult historical issues and to develop dialogue and mutual understanding. In particular, the process of searching for and exhuming remains has been resumed. For the first time in many years, the Congress of Historians has resumed its activities. Discussion of the past should be substantive and based on reliable sources.

Our history confirms that it is only Moscow that benefits from disputes between Ukrainians and Poles. Today, Ukrainian soldiers are defending not only Ukraine, but the whole of Europe. In initiating the awarding of an honorary title to their unit, our soldiers certainly did not intend to offend the friendly Polish nation. For them, the UPA’s struggle symbolises solely resistance to Moscow’s imperialist policies – and is in no way directed against the Poles.

We recognise that the history of our two nations has its ups and downs – both glorious and tragic. For example, just yesterday marked the 80th anniversary of the Hrubieszów operation, during which Ukrainian insurgents, together with Polish partisans, carried out a successful attack on NKVD units. In previous eras, Ukrainians and Poles together achieved many glorious victories over their age-old enemy in Moscow – from Orsha to the Miracle on the Vistula. At the same time, it is impossible to deny the tragic chapters of history, including crimes against the civilian population committed, amongst others, by soldiers of Ukrainian and Polish formations during the Second World War.

Ukraine does not shy away from this conversation; it responds constructively to Polish requests regarding exhumations, is building dialogue between historians and experts step by step, and seeks to discuss sensitive aspects of the past without politicising them. We cannot allow disputes over the past to undermine our resistance against a common enemy now that Ukraine – with Poland’s support – is holding back Russian aggression.

We are grateful to Poland and the Polish people, who have supported Ukraine from the very first moments of this unprovoked and criminal war. For our part, we emphasise our readiness to continue sharing the experience and solutions developed at the cost of blood shed on the battlefield,” reads the response from the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Source: https://xcancel.com/piotrkaszuwara/status/2060434397011304933?s=20

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