On Saturday, July 11, 2026, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk declared the establishment of a national memorial dedicated to the victims of a "genocide committed by Ukrainian nationalists" during World War Two. This announcement coincides with the anniversary of the Volhynia massacre, where approximately 100,000 ethnic Poles were killed by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) from 1943 to 1945.
Historical tensions between Poland and Ukraine have persisted over the events of this period, with Poland attributing the mass killings to the UPA, while many Ukrainians regard the UPA as heroes who fought for national independence. Tusk emphasized the necessity of acknowledging the truth about these events, stating, "Truth is our duty toward the victims, but also a way to overcome a painful past for the sake of a better future."
Contested Historical Narratives
The historical narrative surrounding the Volhynia massacre remains contested. The Institute of National Remembrance in Poland estimates that around 100,000 people died in the anti-Polish campaign during the conflict, while Ukrainian historians suggest that around 10,000 Ukrainian civilians also lost their lives. Tusk called on Ukraine to acknowledge this painful history, stating, "Memory cannot be the servant of hatred. The answer to nationalism cannot be more nationalism."
Diplomatic Strains and Historical Acknowledgment
Last month, tensions escalated further when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was stripped of Poland's highest state honor due to naming a military unit after the UPA. This decision reflects ongoing diplomatic strains between the two nations, as Poland continues to support Ukraine in its conflict against Russia. Polish President Karol Nawrocki noted that this diplomatic row would not affect Poland's support for Ukraine.
In a video address, Zelensky acknowledged the joint remembrance efforts of both countries, stating, "Representatives of the Ukrainian state took part in joint prayers with representatives of the Polish state to commemorate the victims of the Volyn killings." He reiterated the importance of unity against the common threat posed by Russia.
Memorial Ceremony and Future Relations
The announcement of the memorial was made during a commemorative ceremony held in Warsaw and other cities across Poland. Tusk's remarks underlined the need for mutual respect and acknowledgment of historical suffering to foster better future relations between Poland and Ukraine.
- Polish PM Donald Tusk announces national memorial
- 100,000 ethnic Poles killed by UPA between 1943-45
- 10,000 Ukrainian civilians estimated casualties
- Diplomatic tensions over military unit naming
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by BBC World. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
