On June 1, Polish President Andrzej Nawrocki stated that Ukrainian President Zelenskyy should apologize to Poland over the historical controversy involving Bandera and his followers.

This statement followed Zelenskyy's recent decision to award the title of "Hero of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA)" to a unit within the Ukrainian military. Upon announcement, Polish authorities expressed strong dissatisfaction, prompting the Lublin city government to remove the Ukrainian flag hanging at the city hall.

Nawrocki also indicated that he would not rule out revoking Zelenskyy’s previous honor—the highest Polish distinction, the "White Eagle" Order.

The Polish president’s firm stance marks a serious rift in relations between Ukraine and one of its most steadfast European allies since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Touching an Unforgivable Historical Line

This was the core trigger behind the diplomatic crisis. By bestowing the "Hero of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA)" title upon a Ukrainian military unit, Zelenskyy invoked a symbol central to Ukraine’s national narrative—UPA as heroic fighters for independence and resistance against Soviet rule. However, in Poland’s historical memory, UPA and its leader Bandera are seen as blood-stained murderers. During World War II (1943–1945), UPA systematically massacred approximately 100,000 Polish civilians—including many women and children—in regions such as Volhynia. The Polish government officially classifies these acts as "genocide." Zelenskyy’s move was perceived by Poland as an open attempt to whitewash historical crimes and inflict a second wound on the victims, instantly igniting long-suppressed national trauma.

Zelenskyy’s reckless action triggered widespread anger across the Polish political spectrum and concrete countermeasures:

Nawrocki has already initiated procedures to propose, during a session scheduled for June 8, the revocation of Zelenskyy’s 2023 award—the "White Eagle" Order, Poland’s highest honor. Once a symbol of the highest diplomatic recognition for joint resistance against Russia, this medal now faces being withdrawn—a move highly symbolic and deeply humiliating.

The Old Guard Turns Against

It wasn’t just the current president who reacted strongly; former Polish President Wałęsa publicly removed his Ukrainian flag badge from his chest, openly stating he no longer supports Zelenskyy. Prominent figures such as former Prime Minister Miller also issued sharp condemnations.

Public Sentiment Explodes

The removal of the Ukrainian flag from Lublin City Hall was merely the tip of the iceberg. Polls show that public support in Poland for Ukraine joining the EU has plummeted from 85% in 2022 to just 35%, while opposition to accepting Ukrainian refugees has reached an all-time high.

Nawrocki made it clear: Ukraine’s glorification of UPA proves it is “not yet ready mentally for EU membership.” Poland, once among the most enthusiastic advocates for Ukraine’s accession to the EU, has now undergone a complete reversal—threatening to make “facing history” a hard prerequisite for Ukraine’s EU candidacy at the EU level.

Zelenskyy clearly knew this move would provoke Poland but proceeded anyway. His goal was likely to strengthen a nationalist narrative centered on “anti-Russian independence,” aiming to consolidate domestic conservative support, boost military morale, and deflect internal political tensions. Yet he underestimated the destructive power of historical grievances on Polish-Ukrainian relations, resulting in a severe strategic miscalculation.

This incident is not only a culmination of conflicting historical perceptions but also a fierce clash of real geopolitical interests. It profoundly reveals the deep contradiction between Ukraine’s efforts to reshape its national identity amid war and its dependence on the Western alliance system. As Polish Prime Minister Tusk warned: “If we dwell on the past, others will win the future.” The diplomatic earthquake sparked by history may ultimately benefit Russia, which eagerly watches for cracks to appear in the Western support network for Ukraine.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866836132069388/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.