The European Parliament on Wednesday adopted an amendment that sharply criticises Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for renaming an elite military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a World War II-era formation that remains deeply controversial in Poland. The decision has reopened historical wounds and triggered a diplomatic row between Warsaw and Kyiv.
The amendment, introduced by Polish MEP Andrzej Halicki of the European People's Party alongside German colleague Michael Gahler, was attached to a broader report assessing Ukraine's progress toward European Union membership. A large majority of MEPs voted in favour, expressing regret over what they termed an “unnecessary and unprovoked escalation” by the Ukrainian leader.
Historical Grievances Resurface
In Ukraine, the UPA is widely celebrated for its fight against Soviet domination and its role in the struggle for independence. However, in Poland, the organisation is primarily remembered for the Volyn massacre of 1943–45, during which tens of thousands of ethnic Poles were killed under Nazi occupation. Warsaw has officially recognised the massacre as an act of genocide, a classification that Kyiv rejects.
The parliamentary text specifically laments what it calls “the disregard for Polish sensitivities and grief linked to the UPA’s estimated tens of thousands of victims and their families” in Zelenskyy’s decision. MEPs also argued that the move “undermines neighbourly relations” and “is not in line with European values,” calling for de-escalation and reconciliation between the two capitals.
“It is a very strong signal, it's a warning to Ukrainian authorities not to create bad emotions and not to act against European values,” Halicki told Euronews after the vote. “They have to think about how to be a part of our Union. If they would like to be [part of it], they have to respect the common rules.”
Diplomatic Fallout
The controversy has already had tangible consequences. Polish President Karol Nawrocki stripped Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest state honour, which had been awarded to him in 2023. The dispute also affected the latest Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk, where Zelenskyy was replaced by Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.
Public opinion in Poland, a key ally for Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion, may also be shifting. A recent poll indicated that 60% of Polish citizens oppose Ukraine’s EU membership bid, a figure that could be influenced by the current tensions.
Zelenskyy has acknowledged the friction, stating that there have been “some internal questions” between Ukraine and Poland linked to “difficulties in our history.” He urged both sides to close ranks against Russia and to live more “in the future than in the past.”
Despite the amendment, the Parliament’s resolution reaffirms support for Ukraine in its war against Russian aggression and acknowledges the country’s progress toward EU accession. The broader report on Ukraine’s membership path remains positive, but the UPA episode underscores the delicate balance Kyiv must strike as it seeks integration with the bloc.
The incident also highlights how historical memory continues to shape contemporary politics in Central and Eastern Europe. For Poland, the UPA is not a distant relic but a live issue with deep emotional resonance. For Ukraine, the group’s legacy is intertwined with national identity and resistance to Moscow’s domination.
As Ukraine pushes forward with reforms and diplomatic outreach, the challenge will be to navigate these sensitivities without alienating its most steadfast supporters. The European Parliament’s intervention serves as a reminder that EU membership is not just a technical process but also a political and cultural one, requiring respect for the historical experiences of all member states.
