Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has opted not to participate in the Ukraine Recovery Conference taking place in Gdańsk, Poland, due to escalating tensions between Kyiv and Warsaw over a sensitive historical issue. Instead, Ukraine will be represented by a delegation headed by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. The conference’s primary goal is to rally international support and secure investments for Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction efforts.
The friction between the two nations arose following Zelenskyy’s decision to name a Ukrainian military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). While many Ukrainians view the UPA as a symbol of their independence movement, it is associated in Poland with the tragic deaths of thousands of Poles during World War II. This move has drawn criticism from Polish leaders, including President Karol Nawrocki, who accused Ukraine of disregarding the historical suffering endured by Poles.
Despite their collaborative efforts since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, this historical dispute has strained Ukraine-Poland relations. Zelenskyy defended his decision, emphasizing that military units should have the freedom to choose names that reflect Ukrainian history. He also cautioned that allowing political disagreements to fester could undermine the critical cooperation between the two countries amid ongoing security challenges.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has called for both nations to de-escalate the situation, stressing that such disagreements should not harm the strategic alliance they share. Meanwhile, European officials have expressed concern that deteriorating relations between these neighboring countries could play into Russia’s hands, urging both Ukraine and Poland to maintain their cooperative ties.