Ukraine's foreign minister accuses Nawrocki of playing into Moscow's hands
Photo: Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha (Getty Images)
Ukraine has called on Poland to act with restraint and diplomacy in bilateral relations, while stressing that it is ready to respond to any unfriendly steps, says Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Ukrainian TV.
According to the minister, Kyiv is not interested in escalating tensions with Warsaw and has always valued Poland's support for Ukraine.
"Ukraine did not seek to create such tense chapters in our bilateral relations. We have always taken a constructive approach, valued our relations with Poland, and were grateful for the assistance we received," Sybiha said.
The foreign minister also stressed the need not to politicize difficult issues related to shared historical memory. In his view, sensitive historical topics should remain within the domain of professional historians rather than be used in political disputes.
At the same time, he said Ukraine will respond to actions it considers unfriendly or disrespectful.
"We will mirror all steps, especially if they are unfriendly or disrespectful toward our country. The time of ignoring things is over," he added.
Sybiha also criticized Polish President Karol Nawrocki, saying the politician had become a "destroyer" of the positive achievements Ukraine and Poland had recently built.
"Not by chance, he is receiving applause from Moscow," the Ukrainian foreign minister noted.
Despite this, Sybiha emphasized that Kyiv remains open to continued political dialogue with Warsaw.
"We call on Poles for restraint and diplomacy. We are open to political dialogue," he concluded.
Tensions between Ukraine and Poland
As a reminder, tensions between Kyiv and Warsaw intensified after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy granted an honorary designation to a Ukrainian military unit in honor of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.
In response, Polish President Karol Nawrocki initiated proceedings to revoke Zelenskyy's Polish state award.
Later, head of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov held closed-door talks in Warsaw, which reportedly helped prevent further escalation.
Amid the dispute, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that conflicts over historical issues could have negative consequences for bilateral relations, while Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said that Moscow would be the only winner of a "war over history and awards."
Recipients of the Order of the White Eagle in Poland, including Leonid Kuchma and Viktor Yushchenko, have also returned the award. Petro Poroshenko became the fourth Ukrainian president to do so.
