President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine has decided not to participate in the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Poland, a decision influenced by escalating tensions between Kyiv and Warsaw over a contentious historical issue. The conference, designed to rally international support and investment for reconstructing Ukraine post-war, will instead see representation from a Ukrainian delegation led by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. The gathering is taking place in Gdańsk, Poland.
The friction originates from Zelenskyy’s recent approval to name a Ukrainian military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). While many Ukrainians view the UPA as an emblem of their fight for independence, it is associated in Poland with the deaths of thousands of Poles during World War II. This decision has drawn criticism from Polish leaders, including President Karol Nawrocki, who accused Ukraine of overlooking historical grievances.
Despite the historically close ties between Ukraine and Poland, the disagreement has strained their relationship, which had been strengthened due to their cooperation following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In response to the criticism, Zelenskyy defended his decision by asserting that military units should have the autonomy to adopt names that reflect Ukrainian historical narratives. He also cautioned that letting political disputes overshadow shared interests could undermine the collaboration between the two nations amid current security threats.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for de-escalation, emphasizing that these differences should not harm the strategic alliance between Poland and Ukraine. Meanwhile, European officials have expressed concern that deteriorating relations between these neighboring countries could inadvertently benefit Russia. They have urged both sides to maintain their cooperative efforts to ensure stability in the region.