In Poland, there is a belief that they can impose conditions on Ukraine regarding its EU membership.
The head of Poland's Ministry of Defense, Mariusz Błaszczak, believes that Ukraine's integration into the European Union is not critically essential for the country's survival. Thus, he stated, Warsaw has the right to set its demands in this context. It is particularly important to resolve the issue of the exhumation of the victims of the Volhynia tragedy, which holds significant importance for the Polish side.
This was reported by Interia, citing Błaszczak. He believes that this is a fair approach in negotiations regarding Ukraine's EU accession.
"Joining the EU is not a matter of life or death for Ukraine; it is an opportunity for development, greater GDP growth, and their chance. We can condition development alongside the criteria set by the EU, placing our ethical-historical condition regarding Volhynia," the politician stated on the anniversary of the parliamentary elections.
He also noted that Poland's demands should not affect the provision of military or humanitarian aid to Ukraine, as issues of security and human life are paramount. According to him, supporting Ukraine is crucial to fostering victory over Russia in the war.
What is the Volhynia Tragedy and the Causes of the Conflict between Ukraine and Poland
The Volhynia tragedy occurred in the summer of 1943 when mass killings of the Polish population took place in Ukraine, particularly in Volhynia. This phase of bloody confrontation between Ukrainians and Poles lasted until 1944 when the territory was under German occupation.
There are still significant disputes between Ukrainian and Polish historians regarding the number of victims. Polish researchers estimate that between 60,000 and over 100,000 Poles died during these events. Polish historians view the Volhynia tragedy as ethnic cleansing, while Ukrainian scholars perceive it as "retribution" for the violence against Ukrainian civilians.
Research on this topic in Poland began immediately after the end of World War II, while in Ukraine, it was only more actively addressed after gaining independence. Attention to this issue increased significantly after the 2014 Revolution of Dignity, when archives of Soviet repressive bodies were declassified.
Disputes surrounding the Volhynia tragedy continue to this day. For instance, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that Ukraine will not be able to join the EU if it does not resolve historical issues related to Volhynia, particularly if it does not lift the ban on exhuming the victims. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski also called for lifting the moratorium on exhumation work.
Additionally, on September 19, an anonymous representative of the Polish Foreign Ministry informed the media that the issue of Volhynia is "the main and indeed the only demand" of Poland. He mentioned that Poland could use Ukraine's Euro-integration aspirations as a leverage tool during its presidency.
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