A senior British intelligence source has told the Guardian that Volodymyr Zelensky is under mounting pressure from Western allies to resolve a growing row with Poland over a military unit that once fought alongside Nazi forces. The dispute, which erupted earlier this week, threatens to fracture the fragile unity between Kyiv and one of its staunchest supporters.
The row centres on the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS, a Ukrainian volunteer unit formed by the Nazis in 1943. Poland’s government has demanded that Kyiv denounce the unit and remove its symbols from public view. But Ukrainian nationalists revere the division as part of the country’s long struggle for independence, and Zelensky has so far resisted calls to condemn it.
“The British have made it very clear that this is damaging the war effort,” the intelligence source said. “Zelensky is being told to sort it out quickly, before it poisons relations further. The Poles are not going to back down, and the Ukrainians need them more than ever.”
The pressure comes at a critical time. Ukraine is preparing for a major counteroffensive and relies heavily on Poland for military aid, logistics, and as a hub for Western weapons. Any chill in relations could have direct consequences on the battlefield.
“Poland has been a lifeline for Ukraine,” said Dr. Anna Kowalska, a Warsaw-based geopolitical analyst. “If this dispute escalates, it could affect the flow of supplies and training. Zelensky cannot afford to alienate Warsaw.”
The British source added that UK officials have been mediating behind the scenes, urging both sides to find a compromise. “The last thing anyone wants is a public split. But the Poles feel strongly about their history and want a clear statement from Kyiv.”
For Zelensky, the row presents a delicate balancing act. While he needs Polish support, he also faces nationalist pressure at home. Any move to condemn the SS division could be seen as a betrayal of Ukrainian patriots.
“This is not just about history,” said Dr. Olena Petrenko, a historian from Kyiv. “For many Ukrainians, the division is a symbol of resistance against Soviet oppression. Denouncing it would be deeply unpopular.”
The intelligence source confirmed that the UK government has offered to help draft a statement that would satisfy Poland without alienating Ukrainian nationalists. “It’s a careful diplomatic dance,” the source said. “But time is running out.”
The dispute has already spilled into public view. Poland’s deputy prime minister, Jarosław Kaczyński, accused Kyiv of “historical blindness” and warned that the row could undermine public support for Ukraine in Poland. Opinion polls show that Polish sentiment, while still strongly pro-Ukraine, has cooled in recent months over grain import disputes and other issues.
For ordinary Poles, the memory of Nazi atrocities remains raw. Nearly six million Polish citizens died during the Second World War, many at the hands of Nazi collaborators. “We cannot gloss over this history,” said Maria Nowak, a 78-year-old from Krakow. “Ukraine must acknowledge what its people did.”
Zelensky’s office has not commented directly, but officials have privately signalled a willingness to find a solution. “We are aware of the concerns,” one Ukrainian source said. “We are working to address them without damaging our national dignity.”
The British intelligence source concluded: “This is a test of Zelensky’s political skills. He knows he has to give ground, but he also has to manage his own side. If he gets it right, the alliance stays strong. If he gets it wrong, the consequences could be severe.”
