Polish city removes Ukrainian flag over wartime history dispute
Ukrainian flag removed from Lublin city hall (photo: Getty Images)
Authorities in the Polish city of Lublin have removed the Ukrainian flag from city hall, where it had flown since 2022 as a symbol of solidarity. The reason was a decree signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, WP Wiadomości reports.
The move was triggered by Zelenskyy's decision to award the Northern Special Operations Forces unit the honorary title "Named after the Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army" — a World War II-era nationalist movement that remains highly controversial in Poland.
The decree sparked a strong reaction in Poland, ranging from the Foreign Ministry to President Karol Nawrocki.
Lublin City Hall issued a statement saying that the city had joined other Polish cities. Officials share the critical position of Poland's Foreign Ministry and the Polish Embassy in Kyiv regarding Zelenskyy's decision.
"Glorifying formations responsible for crimes against civilians hurts the memory of Polish victims and makes it more difficult to build a sincere dialogue," the city council said.
At the same time, Lublin stressed that it remains an ally of Ukraine in its struggle for independence and territorial integrity.
"We see no contradiction between defending historical truth and showing solidarity with a nation that has become a victim of aggression," the statement said.
Residents of the city are divided over the removal of the flag. Some support the decision, citing what they view as unacceptable praise of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.
Others consider the move ill-timed, noting that Ukrainians are still fighting Russian forces on the front line.
"I think this is a very bad moment. I would like to remind you that Ukrainians are still holding the front line far away from us. To some extent, they are fighting the Russians on our behalf. And now we are turning away from them? This will not end well. For me, it is a step onto thin ice," a Lublin resident said.
On May 26, Zelenskyy signed a decree awarding the Separate Northern Special Operations Center the honorary title "Named after the Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army" for exemplary performance in combat missions.
In response, Polish President Karol Nawrocki said he was considering stripping Zelenskyy of the republic's highest state award.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry responded that Kyiv had no intention of offending the Polish people, stressing that for Ukraine, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army symbolizes only resistance to Moscow's imperial policies.
