Poland warns of escalation over Zelenskyy's move on Pantheon issue
Photo: Karol Nawrocki (Getty Images)
The submission by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of a bill to establish a National Pantheon constitutes an escalatory move, according to the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland.
"President Zelenskyy has announced that he will table a bill on the National Pantheon – this is the next stage in a series of escalatory measures by the Ukrainian authorities, following the decision at the end of May to name one of its military units after the ‘heroes of the UPA’," the statement reads.
Nawrocki's Chancellery notes that the Polish President was right when he announced that he would strip Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle, and ultimately did so.
"As can be seen from the wave of criticism directed at the President by those in power – who now admit that the President was right – Nawrocki's firm stance on Polish matters is justified," the statement says.
Background
On Sunday, June 28, Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted a draft law to parliament on the Ukrainian National Pantheon, which will serve as a memorial honoring outstanding figures in national history.
According to the head of the Office of the President, Kyrylo Budanov, the adoption of this law will be a step toward restoring historical justice and consolidating Ukrainian society.
In April, the President of Ukraine announced plans to create a Pantheon of Outstanding Ukrainians, a memorial to honor national heroes and key historical figures.
The first step was the reburial of Andrii Melnyk and his wife Sofia, whose remains were repatriated from Luxembourg.
