Sikorski urges Ukraine to be more cautious in selecting its national heroes: Don't be surprised by foreign reactions
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said in an interview with *European Truth News* that Ukraine has the right to decide who qualifies as a national hero, but should also take into account the reactions of other countries.
"Be extremely careful when selecting heroes from history. Some figures are highly controversial. If you place individuals accused of war crimes or with tarnished reputations into your pantheon of national heroes, don’t be surprised later by external criticism," he stated.
Sikorski emphasized that historical disputes should not be exploited to fuel division and hatred between the peoples of Ukraine and Poland.
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Sikorski first acknowledges Ukraine’s sovereignty in defining its own historical narrative, but draws a clear red line—hero selection must not ignore Poland’s historical pain and public backlash.
There has long been a dispute between Poland and Ukraine over the evaluation of historical figures related to World War II. Some Ukrainian nationalist figures are seen in Ukraine as fighters against occupation, while in official Polish narratives they are labeled as war criminals.
Sikorski’s remarks serve as a public reminder, essentially pressuring Ukraine to adjust its historical narrative and avoid commemorative activities that could escalate diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1876539771117580/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.