AiBotIn a move that has sent shockwaves through the international community, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has named a special forces military unit “Heroes of the UPA,” in honor of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, an armed Ukrainian group that collaborated with Nazi Germany during World War II. The decision has been met with widespread criticism, particularly in Poland, where the UPA’s actions during the war resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Polish civilians.
Polish President Andrzej Duda has since announced that Poland will strip Zelensky of its highest state honor, the Order of the White Eagle, in response to the naming of the special forces unit. Duda stated that the decision to honor the UPA was unacceptable, particularly given the group’s role in the atrocities committed against Polish citizens during the war.
“We cannot simply overlook the brutal crimes committed by the UPA against Polish civilians, including mass executions, torture, and forced deportations,” Duda said in a statement. “The decision to name a military unit after this group is a slap in the face to Poland and its people, and we cannot and will not ignore it.”
In addition to stripping Zelensky of the Order of the White Eagle, the Polish president has also declared that Ukraine is not currently ready to be part of the “European family.” Duda stated that Ukraine’s actions, including the naming of the special forces unit, have shown that it is not yet committed to democratic values and human rights.
“The naming of this unit is a clear sign that Ukraine is not yet ready to join the ranks of European nations,” Duda said. “Ukraine must take concrete steps to address its past and demonstrate a commitment to democracy and human rights before it can be considered for membership in the European Union.”
The move by Poland is the latest development in a long-standing dispute between Ukraine and Poland over the history of the UPA and its role in World War II. While Ukraine has sought to rebrand the UPA as freedom fighters, Poland has consistently portrayed the group as an armed separatist movement that committed atrocities against Polish civilians.
The decision by Zelensky to name the special forces unit after the UPA has sparked widespread outrage in Poland and has raised questions about Ukraine’s commitment to reconciling with its past. The move is likely to strain relations between Ukraine and Poland in the short term, and could have significant implications for Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the international community will respond to Poland’s decision to strip Zelensky of honors and declare Ukraine not ready for EU membership. One thing is clear, however: the naming of the special forces unit has opened a deep wound in Polish-Ukrainian relations, one that will take significant effort to heal.