A historic dispute between Ukraine and Poland over a World War Two army unit has escalated, with British mediators now involved. The row centres on the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a nationalist group that fought for independence but is accused by Poland of collaborating with Nazi Germany during the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is under intense pressure from Warsaw to condemn the UPA, a delicate move that could fracture his domestic support ahead of elections.
The conflict has strained relations between the two allies, who have stood together against Russia’s invasion. Poland, a key supporter of Ukraine’s EU and NATO aspirations, demands an official apology and a ban on glorifying the UPA, whose actions in the Volhynia massacre of Polish civilians remain a deep wound. For Zelensky, however, acknowledging the UPA’s crimes risks angering nationalist factions at home, particularly in western Ukraine where the group is revered as freedom fighters.
British diplomats, led by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s envoy, have stepped in to broker a compromise. Sources close to the talks say a joint statement condemning historical atrocities without naming the UPA directly is being drafted. But hardliners on both sides reject such fudge. “This is about justice and historical truth,” said a Polish government official. “We cannot move forward without accountability.”
The dispute is more than a row over history. It threatens to undermine the united front against President Putin, who has exploited similar divisions in the past. For ordinary Poles and Ukrainians, the issue is deeply personal. My family in Lviv speak of the UPA with pride,” said Maria, a Ukrainian refugee in Warsaw. “But I understand Polish pain. How do we reconcile?”
Zelensky’s position is precarious. He must balance domestic pressures with the need to keep Poland on side. Failure could jeopardise crucial military and economic aid. The UK’s intervention offers a face-saving exit, but the emotional weight of the past is heavy. As one diplomat put it: “This is not a problem you can solve with a handshake. It will take years of healing.”
For now, the talks continue behind closed doors. The price of bread in Kyiv and Warsaw rises as the standoff reminds us that history, like the cost of living, is never fully settled.
