According to reports from Reuters and AFP on June 23, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced plans to lead a delegation to the conference scheduled for June 25-26 in Gdansk, Poland. President Zelensky will not be present at the meeting.
His absence is seen as a consequence of ongoing disputes related to the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a nationalist armed group from World War II. Last month, President Zelensky awarded the title of 'Heroes of UPA' to a Ukrainian military unit at the Northern Independent Special Operations Center.
While the UPA is viewed as a symbol of anti-Soviet resistance in Ukraine, it is regarded in Poland as an organization involved in the mass killings of Poles in the Volhynia and Eastern Galicia regions during 1943-1944. This issue remains one of the most sensitive historical matters between the two nations.
In response to Zelensky's actions, Polish President Karol Nawrocki announced plans to revoke a medal he had previously awarded to Zelensky. Following this, Zelensky voluntarily returned the medal.
The Ukraine Reconstruction Conference aims to discuss international support for the recovery and rebuilding of Ukraine, which has been devastated by the Russian invasion. This year's agenda will focus on recovery assistance and investment strategies in sectors heavily impacted by the war, including energy and critical infrastructure.
As the tensions between the two countries escalate publicly, the European Union has expressed concern. Paola Pinu, chief spokesperson for the EU Commission, warned in an interview with the European media outlet Euronews, "Only the aggressor would take pleasure in this situation," adding that disputes undermining unity between Ukraine and EU member states only benefit Russia.
Poland has been a key ally in supporting Ukraine since the Russian invasion. However, the resurfacing of historical tensions surrounding the Volhynia massacre suggests that political strains between the two countries may persist for the foreseeable future.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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