Poland and Ukraine Take Steps to Address Historic Grievances Amidst Volhynia Massacre Exhumations
Poland and Ukraine are making strides to mend their historically strained relations stemming from the tragic Volhynia Massacre of 1943, where an estimated 100,000 Polish civilians were killed by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced a significant breakthrough with a decision to exhume the remains of the victims, a move lauded for its potential to foster healing between the two nations.
Tusk expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts between cultural ministers from both countries and emphasized the importance of these exhumations, which could help address long-held grievances. The UPA, which operated during World War II, is often viewed through a contentious historical lens. While Poland recognizes the atrocities as genocide, Ukrainian officials frame it as a complex conflict with mutual culpability.
Calls for exhumation have intensified, with many Poles advocating for the recovery of approximately 55,000 Polish and 10,000 Jewish victims still unaccounted for. Concerns around the Volhynia issue extend beyond historical recognition; Polish officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, have warned that unresolved grievances might hinder Ukraine’s aspirations for EU membership.
Despite certain recent tensions, including restrictions on the search for victims and a decline in favorable opinions towards Poles among Ukrainians—from 67% to 44.5%—officials are hopeful that Tusk’s announcement will pave the way for rapprochement. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha noted that improved bilateral relations would constitute a counter to Russian influence in the region.
As both countries navigate this sensitive chapter, the potential impact of exhumations represents not only a step toward restitution for the victims but also an effort to unite against contemporary challenges.
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