Last Updated:July 13, 2026, 11:40 IST
A dispute over one of World War II’s darkest chapters has strained ties between Poland and Ukraine, raising concerns that history could complicate Kyiv’s fight against Russia
The immediate trigger was Ukraine’s decision to name a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a nationalist force that occupies very different places in Polish and Ukrainian history. (AFP File Photo)
For more than three years, Poland has been one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters in its war against Russia. It has supplied weapons, opened its borders to millions of Ukrainian refugees and served as a crucial logistical hub for Western military assistance. But relations between the two neighbours have suddenly hit one of their lowest points since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, not because of the war itself, but because of a massacre that took place more than 80 years ago.
The latest diplomatic row erupted after Polish President Karol Nawrocki revoked a state honour previously awarded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Kyiv responded by returning the honour, turning what began as a symbolic disagreement into a wider diplomatic dispute.
At the centre of the controversy lies the legacy of the Volhynia massacres that took place between 1943 and 1945. The culmination of these atrocities took place on July 11, 1943 — historically referred to as ‘Bloody Sunday’ — when the UPA simultaneously attacked approximately 100 Polish villages and settlements.
What Triggered The Latest Diplomatic Row?
The immediate trigger was Ukraine’s decision to name a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a nationalist force that occupies very different places in Polish and Ukrainian history.
For many Ukrainians, the UPA represents resistance against Soviet domination and a symbol of the country’s long struggle for independence. In Poland, however, the same organisation is remembered primarily for its role in the Volhynia massacres, during which 100,000 ethnic Poles were killed between 1943 and 1945. Thousands of Ukrainians also died in reprisal killings.
The issue resurfaced when Poland’s new nationalist leadership argued that honouring organisations linked to those killings was unacceptable. Nawrocki’s decision to revoke one of Poland’s highest civilian honours awarded to Zelenskyy reflected that position. Ukraine’s decision to return the honour further escalated tensions, widening the disagreement beyond historical memory into diplomacy and bilateral relations.
Although the dispute centres on symbols, it reflects deeper disagreements over how each country interprets one of the most traumatic periods in its history.
Why Is World War II Still So Politically Explosive?
The Volhynia massacres remain one of the most emotionally charged historical issues between Poland and Ukraine.
During the final years of World War II, ethnic violence engulfed the Volhynia and Eastern Galicia regions, then part of occupied Poland. Historians estimate that tens of thousands of Polish civilians were killed by units associated with the UPA in what Poland officially recognises as genocide. Ukrainian civilians also died in retaliatory attacks carried out by Polish groups, though on a significantly smaller scale.
In 1947, within the new borders established after World War II, Poland forcibly relocated some 140,000 ethnic Ukrainians and people identifying as members of the small Lemko ethnic group from south-eastern Poland to territories it had regained from Germany. The aim was to cut support for underground UPA groups in Poland, but the Ukrainian side considers it a crime of ethnic cleansing.
The disagreement today is less about the facts than about national memory. In Poland, the massacres have become a defining symbol of historical injustice, with successive governments demanding greater acknowledgement, remembrance and accountability.
Ukraine’s historical narrative is more complex. The UPA fought not only against Polish forces but also against Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union during different phases of the war. As Ukraine sought to strengthen its national identity after independence, and especially after Russia’s aggression in 2014, the UPA increasingly came to symbolise resistance against foreign domination.
As a result, the same organisation is remembered in Poland as a perpetrator of mass killings and in Ukraine as part of the struggle for national liberation.
These competing narratives have made reconciliation particularly difficult, despite repeated efforts by both governments over the years.
Why Is This Happening Now?
The timing is closely linked to domestic politics in Poland. Karol Nawrocki has built much of his political identity around historical memory, national sovereignty and what he describes as defending Poland’s historical truth. Revisiting unresolved World War II grievances resonates strongly with many conservative voters.
At the same time, public attitudes towards Ukraine have evolved since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
Poland welcomed millions of Ukrainian refugees, provided extensive humanitarian assistance and became one of Kyiv’s most important military partners. But after years of financial support, refugee assistance and disputes over issues such as agricultural imports, signs of “Ukraine fatigue” have emerged within parts of Polish society.
Another longstanding source of friction has been Poland’s demand to exhume the remains of Polish victims buried in present-day western Ukraine so they can be identified and given proper burials. While Kyiv has recently approved some exhumation work in parts of the Volhynia region, progress has remained slow and politically sensitive.
For Poland, the issue is about giving victims and their families long-overdue recognition and closure. Ukraine, however, views it through a more complex political lens, fearing that renewed focus on wartime atrocities could reignite historical disputes at a time when national unity remains critical.
While broad support for Ukraine remains intact, domestic political debates have increasingly focused on ensuring that Polish interests are not overshadowed by wartime solidarity.
Does This Threaten Support For Ukraine?
Despite the diplomatic tensions, Poland remains indispensable to Ukraine. It serves as Kyiv’s main gateway to Europe, acting as the primary land route for military supplies, humanitarian aid, trade and millions of Ukrainians travelling to and from the European Union. As one of NATO’s key frontline states, Poland continues to play a critical role in sustaining Ukraine’s war effort.
That strategic position also gives Warsaw considerable leverage. Issues ranging from cross-border trade and transport to the rights of the large Ukrainian community living in Poland can become powerful negotiating tools. While both countries remain bound by shared security interests, the relationship is increasingly becoming more transactional, with political disagreements spilling over into economic and diplomatic cooperation.
Differences have already emerged over grain exports, defence cooperation, military procurement and technology sharing. The latest disagreement adds another sensitive layer to an increasingly complex partnership.
Rather than signalling a collapse in relations, the dispute highlights how wartime alliances can become more complicated as immediate security concerns give way to longer-term political and economic interests.
Both governments continue to recognise that cooperation remains strategically necessary, even as disagreements become more frequent.
Why Europe Is Worried
The dispute comes at a particularly sensitive moment in the Russia-Ukraine war. European governments have worked hard to maintain a united front against Russia, recognising that political cohesion is almost as important as military assistance.
Any visible divisions between Kyiv and one of its closest regional partners risk undermining that unity.
European officials also worry that Moscow could exploit historical disagreements through disinformation campaigns, political messaging and efforts to deepen mistrust between allies. Russia has long sought to amplify existing divisions within Europe, portraying Western support for Ukraine as fragile and unsustainable.
The timing is equally significant because Ukraine is pursuing membership of the European Union.
EU enlargement requires broad political support from existing member states, and Poland has traditionally been among Kyiv’s strongest advocates. While the current dispute is unlikely to derail Ukraine’s accession ambitions on its own, prolonged diplomatic tensions could complicate negotiations on issues requiring political consensus.
History Still Shapes Today’s Politics
The Poland-Ukraine dispute illustrates a broader reality of international relations: historical memory rarely remains confined to history books.
Even countries united by common security interests can struggle to overcome unresolved grievances that continue to shape national identity and domestic politics.
For Poland, acknowledging the victims of the Volhynia massacres is seen as a matter of historical justice. For Ukraine, preserving the legacy of those who fought against Soviet rule has become part of building a modern national identity, particularly while defending itself against Russia.
Thus, as the war continues, both countries remain bound by shared strategic interests. Yet the latest dispute serves as a reminder that alliances are sustained not only by common enemies but also by trust, and trust can be tested by events that happened generations ago.
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About the Author
Shilpy Bisht
Shilpy Bisht is a News Editor at News18, where she leads the English app operations. She writes on world affairs, health, AI, career, business, and issues affecting women and children. A former print …Read More
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The latest diplomatic row erupted after Polish President Karol Nawrocki revoked a state honour previously awarded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Kyiv responded by returning the honour, turning what began as a symbolic disagreement into a wider diplomatic dispute.
At the centre of the controversy lies the legacy of the Volhynia massacres that took place between 1943 and 1945. The culmination of these atrocities took place on July 11, 1943 — historically referred to as ‘Bloody Sunday’ — when the UPA simultaneously attacked approximately 100 Polish villages and settlements.
What Triggered The Latest Diplomatic Row?
The immediate trigger was Ukraine’s decision to name a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a nationalist force that occupies very different places in Polish and Ukrainian history.
For many Ukrainians, the UPA represents resistance against Soviet domination and a symbol of the country’s long struggle for independence. In Poland, however, the same organisation is remembered primarily for its role in the Volhynia massacres, during which 100,000 ethnic Poles were killed between 1943 and 1945. Thousands of Ukrainians also died in reprisal killings.
The issue resurfaced when Poland’s new nationalist leadership argued that honouring organisations linked to those killings was unacceptable. Nawrocki’s decision to revoke one of Poland’s highest civilian honours awarded to Zelenskyy reflected that position. Ukraine’s decision to return the honour further escalated tensions, widening the disagreement beyond historical memory into diplomacy and bilateral relations.
Although the dispute centres on symbols, it reflects deeper disagreements over how each country interprets one of the most traumatic periods in its history.
Why Is World War II Still So Politically Explosive?
The Volhynia massacres remain one of the most emotionally charged historical issues between Poland and Ukraine.
During the final years of World War II, ethnic violence engulfed the Volhynia and Eastern Galicia regions, then part of occupied Poland. Historians estimate that tens of thousands of Polish civilians were killed by units associated with the UPA in what Poland officially recognises as genocide. Ukrainian civilians also died in retaliatory attacks carried out by Polish groups, though on a significantly smaller scale.
In 1947, within the new borders established after World War II, Poland forcibly relocated some 140,000 ethnic Ukrainians and people identifying as members of the small Lemko ethnic group from south-eastern Poland to territories it had regained from Germany. The aim was to cut support for underground UPA groups in Poland, but the Ukrainian side considers it a crime of ethnic cleansing.
The disagreement today is less about the facts than about national memory. In Poland, the massacres have become a defining symbol of historical injustice, with successive governments demanding greater acknowledgement, remembrance and accountability.
Ukraine’s historical narrative is more complex. The UPA fought not only against Polish forces but also against Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union during different phases of the war. As Ukraine sought to strengthen its national identity after independence, and especially after Russia’s aggression in 2014, the UPA increasingly came to symbolise resistance against foreign domination.
As a result, the same organisation is remembered in Poland as a perpetrator of mass killings and in Ukraine as part of the struggle for national liberation.
These competing narratives have made reconciliation particularly difficult, despite repeated efforts by both governments over the years.
Why Is This Happening Now?
The timing is closely linked to domestic politics in Poland. Karol Nawrocki has built much of his political identity around historical memory, national sovereignty and what he describes as defending Poland’s historical truth. Revisiting unresolved World War II grievances resonates strongly with many conservative voters.
At the same time, public attitudes towards Ukraine have evolved since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
Poland welcomed millions of Ukrainian refugees, provided extensive humanitarian assistance and became one of Kyiv’s most important military partners. But after years of financial support, refugee assistance and disputes over issues such as agricultural imports, signs of “Ukraine fatigue” have emerged within parts of Polish society.
Another longstanding source of friction has been Poland’s demand to exhume the remains of Polish victims buried in present-day western Ukraine so they can be identified and given proper burials. While Kyiv has recently approved some exhumation work in parts of the Volhynia region, progress has remained slow and politically sensitive.
For Poland, the issue is about giving victims and their families long-overdue recognition and closure. Ukraine, however, views it through a more complex political lens, fearing that renewed focus on wartime atrocities could reignite historical disputes at a time when national unity remains critical.
While broad support for Ukraine remains intact, domestic political debates have increasingly focused on ensuring that Polish interests are not overshadowed by wartime solidarity.
Does This Threaten Support For Ukraine?
Despite the diplomatic tensions, Poland remains indispensable to Ukraine. It serves as Kyiv’s main gateway to Europe, acting as the primary land route for military supplies, humanitarian aid, trade and millions of Ukrainians travelling to and from the European Union. As one of NATO’s key frontline states, Poland continues to play a critical role in sustaining Ukraine’s war effort.
That strategic position also gives Warsaw considerable leverage. Issues ranging from cross-border trade and transport to the rights of the large Ukrainian community living in Poland can become powerful negotiating tools. While both countries remain bound by shared security interests, the relationship is increasingly becoming more transactional, with political disagreements spilling over into economic and diplomatic cooperation.
Differences have already emerged over grain exports, defence cooperation, military procurement and technology sharing. The latest disagreement adds another sensitive layer to an increasingly complex partnership.
Rather than signalling a collapse in relations, the dispute highlights how wartime alliances can become more complicated as immediate security concerns give way to longer-term political and economic interests.
Both governments continue to recognise that cooperation remains strategically necessary, even as disagreements become more frequent.
Why Europe Is Worried
The dispute comes at a particularly sensitive moment in the Russia-Ukraine war. European governments have worked hard to maintain a united front against Russia, recognising that political cohesion is almost as important as military assistance.
Any visible divisions between Kyiv and one of its closest regional partners risk undermining that unity.
European officials also worry that Moscow could exploit historical disagreements through disinformation campaigns, political messaging and efforts to deepen mistrust between allies. Russia has long sought to amplify existing divisions within Europe, portraying Western support for Ukraine as fragile and unsustainable.
The timing is equally significant because Ukraine is pursuing membership of the European Union.
EU enlargement requires broad political support from existing member states, and Poland has traditionally been among Kyiv’s strongest advocates. While the current dispute is unlikely to derail Ukraine’s accession ambitions on its own, prolonged diplomatic tensions could complicate negotiations on issues requiring political consensus.
History Still Shapes Today’s Politics
The Poland-Ukraine dispute illustrates a broader reality of international relations: historical memory rarely remains confined to history books.
Even countries united by common security interests can struggle to overcome unresolved grievances that continue to shape national identity and domestic politics.
For Poland, acknowledging the victims of the Volhynia massacres is seen as a matter of historical justice. For Ukraine, preserving the legacy of those who fought against Soviet rule has become part of building a modern national identity, particularly while defending itself against Russia.
Thus, as the war continues, both countries remain bound by shared strategic interests. Yet the latest dispute serves as a reminder that alliances are sustained not only by common enemies but also by trust, and trust can be tested by events that happened generations ago.
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