The Speaker of the Polish Sejm called the recognition of the Volyn tragedy as genocide a condition for Ukraine’s accession to the EU
After the meeting with Stefanchuk in Shchavnytsia, he warned of rising tensions between the two societies and proposed a permanent channel for interparliamentary dialogue
The Speaker of the Polish Sejm Włodzimierz Czarzasty said in Szczawnica after a meeting with the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk that for Ukraine to join the European Union Kyiv must recognize the Volhynia tragedy of 1943–1944 as a genocide of Poles.
The politician emphasized that he supports Ukraine’s European integration aspirations, but insists that Kyiv will have to reflect on all aspects of its history; these statements became known after his conversation with Stefanchuk in Szczawnica, as reported by European Pravda.
“The EU is democracy and values; it is not just an ATM. It also means calling genocide what it is. It’s history, and no nation can run away from its history,” said Włodzimierz Czarzasty.
He also expressed concern about the state of Polish-Ukrainian relations and the social tension between citizens of both countries, noting that people who just four years ago “loved each other” are now in conflict in Poland.
“This will lead to nothing good. I condemn all forms of improper treatment — both Poles toward Ukrainians and Ukrainians toward Poles,” said the Speaker of the Polish Sejm Włodzimierz Czarzasty.
At the same time he called the meeting with Stefanchuk in Szczawnica the first step toward restoring bilateral dialogue, proposed a permanent channel of communication between the parliaments, and emphasized the need to restore mutual trust.
“No situation is so bad that there is no way out,” added Włodzimierz Czarzasty.
In May reports appeared that the Polish president intended to strip the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky of the Order of the White Eagle after he published his decree granting the Independent Center for Special Operations “Pivnich” the honorary title “Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army” — a topic that provokes historical disputes in Polish society and is primarily associated with the Volhynia tragedy of 1943–1944; according to Polish estimates, victims of that ethnic cleansing numbered from 60 to 100 thousand Poles.
Subsequently, the Polish MFA lodged a protest with the Ukrainian side, and the President of Poland Karol Nawrocki said he intended to initiate consideration of stripping Zelensky of this honor, calling the assignment of the UPA heroes’ name a reason for such a decision; support for the Ukrainian leader was expressed, in particular, by the mayor of Mykolaiv Oleksandr Senkevych, who emphasized that both states chose the path of dialogue and that escalation benefits only Russia.
20 June Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he had sent the Order of the White Eagle by mail to the chancellery of his Polish counterpart Karol Nawrocki, who explained that the Ukrainian president’s actions crossed the “pain threshold” of Poles, so he decided to strip him of the award previously presented by then‑President of Poland Andrzej Duda.
