Zelenskyy Snubs Polish Conference After Provocative Move to Honor Controversial Insurgent Army
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will not attend the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk after sparking outrage in Poland by naming a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, a group notorious for its crimes against Poles, leading to a justified diplomatic response from Warsaw.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be absent from the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk, Poland, following weeks of diplomatic tension caused by his reckless decision to name a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a group infamous for its brutal actions against Polish civilians during World War II. The Ukrainian delegation will instead be led by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, as the summit seeks to support Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction.
The annual summit, hosted by different European capitals, is designed to bring together partners and investors for Ukraine’s recovery. Zelenskyy’s snub comes after Polish President Karol Nawrocki announced the revocation of the Order of the White Eagle awarded to Zelenskyy in 2023, rightly calling the naming “outrageous” and refusing to tolerate the glorification of those responsible for atrocities against Poles.
“Ultimately, the position of the Ukrainian side did not change. History should not be an obstacle to the future, but a good future can only be built on truth,” Nawrocki stated, emphasizing the need for historical honesty and respect for Polish victims.
“If anyone wants to be proud of the murderers of women and children, they cannot be surprised by the reaction,” added Marcin Przydacz, his foreign-policy adviser, justifiably condemning any attempt to whitewash the UPA’s crimes.
In response, Zelenskyy returned the award and accused Polish officials of exploiting anti-Ukrainian sentiment for political gain ahead of Poland’s 2024 parliamentary elections. He attempted to justify the naming as a decision by service members, but his actions threaten to undermine vital Polish-Ukrainian cooperation at a time of increased Russian aggression.
“Our service members choose a heroic name for their unit themselves, and as president and supreme commander-in-chief, I must support them,” Zelenskyy said, refusing to acknowledge the pain caused by honoring such a divisive group.
“Without Ukraine, no one will be able to defend Poland. It is simply impossible,” he added, making bold claims about Ukraine’s role in regional security.
Poland’s pro-European Prime Minister Donald Tusk, co-hosting the conference, urged both sides to de-escalate, warning that further escalation would be a “strategic mistake.” The European Union also cautioned that worsening relations would only benefit Russia, expressing hope that the summit would still achieve its objectives.