Speaking at a press conference in Kleczew, Tusk addressed the ongoing bilateral friction regarding the Ukrainian government’s decision to name a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). He noted that he had received several messages from current and former Ukrainian officials, including a letter from former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, News.Az reports, citing Kyiv Post.
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“The former President of Ukraine addressed me with a very sincere appeal in a letter, asking that we try to work together on this past and ensure that the past does not determine the future, because if the past guides us, the future will not be simple,” Tusk stated, as quoted by Polsat News.
However, the prime minister emphasized that Poland expects the Ukrainian government to initiate the de-escalation process regarding the military unit’s designation.
“We expect the first step from Ukraine following this unsuccessful decision by President Zelensky. It would be good to hear a very clear signal from Kyiv. They are trying, but we would still like to hear it clearly and confidently,” Tusk added.
Tusk’s remarks follow recent diplomatic efforts by Kyiv to stabilize relations. On Friday, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha presented an “anti-crisis” package to Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski during face-to-face talks in Warsaw.
During the meeting, Sybiha formally reassured Polish officials that the unit’s designation carried no anti-Polish intent and reaffirmed that Ukraine continues to issue permits for search and exhumation operations on its territory.
The proposed stabilization roadmap includes immediate ministerial consultations, the convening of World War II historians who participated in the May Polish-Ukrainian Congress, and joint outreach to religious leaders to facilitate bilateral dialogue.
The diplomatic strain coincides with warnings from Ukrainian security officials regarding active Russian efforts to exploit the historical dispute. Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, reported that Russian intelligence services are preparing an information operation specifically aimed at disrupting Ukrainian-Polish relations.
According to Kovalenko, the operation is directed by Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) Director Alexander Bortnikov.
The Center for Countering Disinformation indicated that the FSB plans to publish fabricated materials concerning the World War II-era Volhynia tragedy on July 5, utilizing Russian state media networks to amplify the narrative and provoke further bilateral divisions.
