Donald Tusk called on Zelensky and Navrotsky to have a “direct and sincere conversation” over the dispute over the UPA

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has publicly appealed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Polish President Karol Nawrotsky to hold a direct and frank conversation amid the escalating debate over awarding a Ukrainian military unit the honorary title “named after the Heroes of the UPA.”

The Polish Prime Minister published a corresponding post on the social network X.

“Before emotions destroy our solidarity, which was born in the face of the Russian threat. Cooperation is in the interests of our states and peoples, and conflict is in the interests of Moscow,” Tusk wrote.

What caused the conflict

The dispute arose after the decree of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on awarding the Separate Special Operations Center “North” of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine the honorary title “named after the Heroes of the UPA.”

In Poland, this decision caused a sharp reaction from politicians and government officials.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki said that this decision was a “gift for Russian propaganda” and also suggested that Volodymyr Zelenskyy be stripped of the Order of the White Eagle.

Poland expressed official dissatisfaction

After that, the Polish side held a number of diplomatic contacts with representatives of Ukraine.

State Secretary of the Polish Foreign Ministry Marcin Bosacki, during a meeting with Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Bodnar, expressed “deep dissatisfaction” with the decision regarding the name of the unit.

Also, the temporary charge d’affaires of Poland in Kyiv, Piotr Lukasiewicz, discussed this issue with Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Oleksandr Mishchenko.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry responded to Poland

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Ukrainian military did not intend to offend the Polish people, and that the historical disputes between Kyiv and Warsaw are primarily beneficial to Russia.

Later, Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, after meeting with the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, emphasized that Poland supports a partnership with Ukraine in the security sector, but “there are boundaries that cannot be crossed” in matters of historical memory.

Tusk called for not destroying the alliance

Amid diplomatic tension, Donald Tusk actually called on both sides to prevent the deepening of the conflict between Kyiv and Warsaw.

The Polish Prime Minister emphasized that maintaining strategic cooperation between Ukraine and Poland is key in the face of Russian aggression and threats to the entire region.