Russia trying to drive a wedge between Ukraine and Poland, FM warns
Photo: Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski (Getty Images)
Russian intelligence agencies and internet trolls are actively trying to provoke conflicts and stir up emotions surrounding historical tragedies in relations between Ukraine and Poland, according to Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski.
Russian role in historical disputes
According to the Polish Minister, millions of Russian internet trolls are trying to stir up tensions between Poland and Ukraine, while Kremlin officials, including Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, and Maria Zakharova, director of the Information and Press Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, are openly encouraging such disputes.
"I propose that we consider this issue, because since the 17th century, disputes, crimes, and Polish-Ukrainian conflicts have always served our enemy," Sikorski emphasizes.
He adds that nationalists on both sides are trying to outdo one another for the sake of short-term gains in popularity. However, this only undermines the shared strategic interest, which lies in opposing Russian imperialism.
European integration and reconciliation need
Sikorski emphasizes that Ukraine needs Poland more than ever, both during the war with Russia and in the process of joining the European Union. Kyiv will have to adapt to European standards, just as Warsaw did in its time.
The Polish Foreign Minister also mentioned the anniversaries of the Volhynia tragedy and the Jedwabne massacre, noting that every nation must examine its conscience, as this is a measure of maturity and readiness to participate in the European family.
"Anniversaries should serve not to boost support, but rather to promote reconciliation and ensure that we will no longer kill one another in the future," the Minister concludes.
Kyiv-Warsaw tensions
Tensions have recently arisen between Ukraine and Poland over historical issues. It was previously reported that Poland had presented Ukraine with a condition during behind-the-scenes negotiations regarding the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).
Warsaw expects the Ukrainian side to find a way to amend Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decree to grant a Ukrainian military unit the honorary name of the Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.
At the same time, the Polish side is actively documenting the Kremlin’s subversive activities directed against European countries. For example, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski warned that Russia was preparing new provocations and acts of sabotage against European states.
He emphasized that the allies were trying to stay one step ahead and were publicly exposing the Kremlin’s plans in order to deter Moscow from further aggressive actions in Europe.
