The European Parliament has criticised Ukraine over its decision to honour a controversial World War II military movement, deepening a long-running historical dispute with Poland. The vote highlights how unresolved history continues to shape modern European politics and Ukraine's path towards European Union membership.
INR Report: Based on reporting by RT HERE.
The European Parliament has criticised Ukraine over its decision to rename an elite military unit after World War II-era nationalist fighters associated with the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a move that has intensified diplomatic tensions with neighbouring Poland.
The dispute centres on one of the most painful chapters in Polish-Ukrainian history. During 1943 and 1944, fighters linked to the UPA, the military wing of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), carried out attacks that resulted in the deaths of an estimated 100,000 ethnic Poles in the regions of Volhynia and Eastern Galicia, areas that today largely form part of western Ukraine.
While Poland officially recognises the killings as genocide, Ukraine has long regarded several OUN and UPA figures as national heroes for their resistance against both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. The contrasting interpretations have remained a persistent source of friction despite Poland becoming one of Ukraine's strongest supporters following Russia's military intervention in 2022.
Parliament issues formal criticism
The latest controversy arose after Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky granted an army unit the honorary title "Heroes of the UPA."
The decision prompted a strong reaction from Polish President Karol Nawrocki, who described the move as "outrageous" and revoked the Order of the White Eagle previously awarded to Zelensky. Poland's Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz also warned that continued glorification of organisations linked to wartime atrocities could jeopardise Ukraine's aspirations to join the European Union.
Those concerns have now been echoed within the European Parliament.
Lawmakers approved an amendment to a resolution on Ukraine's EU membership bid describing the decision as an "unnecessary and unprovoked escalation" that demonstrated disregard for Polish sensitivities surrounding the victims of the Volhynia massacres.
The amendment stated that the move undermined neighbourly relations and was "not in line with European values."
Polish Member of the European Parliament Andrzej Halicki, who introduced the amendment, described the vote as a significant warning to Ukrainian authorities.
He said the resolution sent a clear signal that actions reopening historical wounds between member states and candidate countries were inconsistent with the values expected of future EU members.
Diplomatic efforts continue
President Zelensky has sought to minimise the dispute, characterising it as one of several difficult historical issues between neighbouring countries rather than a fundamental political disagreement.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga recently travelled to Warsaw proposing what was described as an "anti-crisis package," including historical dialogue aimed at easing tensions.
Despite those diplomatic efforts, Ukraine has continued moving ahead with plans to establish a national pantheon honouring prominent historical figures, including several nationalist leaders from the Second World War period.
The issue has remained politically sensitive inside Poland, where public memory of the Volhynia massacres continues to influence relations with Ukraine despite strong military and humanitarian support since the outbreak of the current conflict.
A broader challenge for Europe
The disagreement also reflects a broader challenge facing the European Union as it weighs Ukraine's application for membership.
Candidate countries are expected to demonstrate adherence to democratic values, the rule of law, protection of minorities and good neighbourly relations. Historical reconciliation has also been an important part of previous enlargement processes, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe.
While Poland remains one of Ukraine's strongest strategic allies against Russia, the European Parliament's resolution demonstrates that historical disputes can still influence political support inside the EU.
The latest vote is unlikely to halt Ukraine's accession process on its own. However, it signals that unresolved historical grievances may continue to complicate negotiations as membership discussions progress.
Russia responds
Russia was quick to seize on the dispute.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova argued that Western governments had ignored what she described as the nationalist foundations of modern Ukraine while providing military and financial support.
She claimed Poland had knowingly supported forces connected to historical organisations responsible for atrocities against Polish civilians before now attempting to distance itself from those decisions.
Her comments reflect Moscow's long-standing narrative regarding Ukrainian nationalism, an issue that has remained central to Russian messaging throughout the conflict.
Why history still matters
For many outside Europe, debates over events that occurred more than eighty years ago can appear remote.
Yet throughout Central and Eastern Europe, memories of the Second World War remain deeply embedded in national identity.
Questions over historical recognition, wartime responsibility and national heroes continue to influence modern diplomacy, domestic politics and international relationships.
The current disagreement demonstrates that historical memory remains a powerful force in European politics, particularly when it intersects with security, national identity and EU enlargement.
Does This Affect New Zealand?
While New Zealand has no direct involvement in the historical dispute between Poland and Ukraine, the issue illustrates an important principle that also applies to New Zealand's foreign policy.
New Zealand has consistently supported a rules-based international order and has backed Ukraine's sovereignty while also maintaining close diplomatic relationships with European partners, including Poland and the wider European Union.
As Wellington expands defence, trade and political engagement with Europe, historical disputes within the region can influence the pace of EU decision-making and broader geopolitical stability. They also demonstrate that international partnerships often involve complex historical issues extending far beyond present-day security concerns.
For New Zealand businesses, exporters and policymakers, developments affecting European political cohesion can have indirect implications for trade negotiations, investment confidence and the wider international environment in which New Zealand operates.
Source
Original Article: RT
Author: RT News
Independent reporting. Original context. Credited sources.