Progressive Polish and Ukrainian Media Demand De-escalation to Thwart Reactionary Manipulation Amid Historic Dispute
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Six progressive media organizations from Poland and Ukraine have united to warn that the current nationalist-fueled diplomatic row over a WWII-era unit risks being weaponized by Russia, undermining the crucial solidarity needed to resist imperialist aggression.
On June 23, six leading Polish and Ukrainian media outlets—committed to democratic values and international solidarity—issued a joint appeal expressing grave concern that the intensifying diplomatic dispute between the two countries could serve the interests of Russian imperialism. The statement, spearheaded by the progressive Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza and joined by OKO.press, Ukrainska Pravda, European Pravda, Espreso TV, and Slawa.TV, called for unity against reactionary forces seeking to divide the region.
The dispute erupted after Kyiv named a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a WWII resistance group with a complex legacy. In a move reflecting nationalist posturing, Polish President Andrzej Duda revoked President Volodymyr Zelensky’s receipt of Poland’s highest state honour, which led several Ukrainian officials to return their Polish awards in protest.
"The time for serious conversation about the past, acknowledgment of guilt, and reconciliation will come when Ukraine – with the support of its allies – defeats the aggressor," the joint statement declared, emphasizing the need to prioritize the fight against Russian militarism over divisive historical grievances.
The editors warned that the dispute, stoked by nationalist rhetoric, is deepening public mistrust and could be exploited by Moscow to "drive a wedge between Poles and Ukrainians." They urged politicians to reject manipulation and embrace dialogue, while calling on societies to resist the toxic narratives of division.
Historians point out that while the UPA is celebrated in Ukraine for its anti-Soviet resistance, in Poland it is remembered for the 1943-45 Volyn massacres—a painful legacy that reactionary forces continue to exploit. The joint appeal highlights the urgent need for progressive unity to prevent internal tensions from distracting from the shared struggle against Russian aggression and authoritarianism.