Kyiv's recent move to honor World War II fighters associated with the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) has deepened historical tensions between Poland and Ukraine.
The decision has revived a long-standing dispute over the 1943 Volhynia massacre, where approximately 100,000 Poles were killed.
Background of the Conflict
After Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Poland and Ukraine showed strong solidarity, with Poles welcoming Ukrainian refugees.
However, that unity has frayed as Poland's nationalist government now emphasizes historical grievances, threatening to block Ukraine's EU accession unless the issues are resolved.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy named a military unit after UPA heroes despite Polish protests, further escalating the dispute.
In Ukraine, the UPA is celebrated for resisting Soviet rule, but its wartime actions, including massacres of Poles and Jews, are often downplayed.
The renewed tensions threaten to undermine bilateral relations and Ukraine's path toward European integration.
