Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced the creation of a national memorial to the victims of a “genocide committed by Ukrainian nationalists” during World War Two. Tusk made the announcement on the anniversary of what Poland refers to as the “massacre” in Volhynia, a region in German-occupied Poland now part of Ukraine and known as Volyn. The Polish government claims that approximately 100,000 ethnic Poles were killed by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) between 1943 and 1945.

Historical Dispute Between Warsaw and Kyiv

Many in Ukraine regard the UPA as heroes who fought for independence from the Soviet Union as well as against Nazi Germany and Polish authorities. The events in Volyn have been a source of contention between Warsaw and Kyiv for decades, with estimates suggesting that up to 10,000 Ukrainian civilians were also killed during the conflict. Speaking on Saturday. Tusk emphasized the importance of truth in honoring the victims and moving forward; “Truth is our duty toward the victims, but also a way to overcome a painful past for the sake of a better future,” he said.

Tusk added. “Memory cannot be the servant of hatred — the answer to nationalism cannot be more nationalism,” as he urged Ukraine to “embrace this truth” if the country aspired to join the European Union. The remarks highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding the interpretation of historical events in the region.

Recent Diplomatic Tensions

Last month. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was stripped of Poland’s highest state honor over his decision to name a Ukrainian military unit after the UPA; this decision led to a diplomatic dispute between the two countries. Polish President Karol Nawrocki stated that he had to take action but emphasized that the dispute would not affect Poland’s support for Ukraine as it continues to resist a full-scale Russian invasion launched in 2022.

In response, three former Ukrainian presidents returned their White Eagle awards to Poland in solidarity with Zelensky, as the gesture showed the complex relationship between the two nations, which continues to be shaped by historical and contemporary issues.

Joint Commemoration Efforts

In a video address late on Saturday, Zelensky stated that “representatives of the Ukrainian state took part in joint prayers with representatives of the Polish state” in both countries to commemorate the victims of the Volyn killings. He added. “Ukraine is doing its part to honestly establish the facts about those killed in those years.” Zelensky also highlighted the shared threat posed by Russia to both Ukraine and Poland, stating, “We must not forget that now… Ukraine and Poland have one common threat, and this is a mortal threat to our independence, to our states, to every city, to every village, and this threat is called Russia.”