Ukrainians criticize Polish historical policy. "They serve Russia's interests"

The one-sided interpretation and politicization of the historical discourse with Ukraine in Poland negatively affects the partnership between the two countries and serves the interests of Russia, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday.

The statement was made after a roundtable discussion that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha held with historians and experts on Ukrainian-Polish relations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kyiv explained in a statement.

It was noted that in his speech, Sybiha emphasized Poland's comprehensive support for Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale war against Russian aggression. He also assessed that this assistance is evidence of true solidarity and strategic partnership between the countries.

“Our relations with neighbouring Poland are extremely important both from the point of view of common interests and in the context of current challenges and threats in the face of the ongoing Russian armed aggression,” the minister said.

"At the same time , attempts by some Polish politicians and political forces to unilaterally interpret and politicize the historical discourse in relations with Ukraine have recently become increasingly evident , which in turn negatively affects the development of the partnership between Ukraine and Poland and actually serves the interests of the Russian aggressor," the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.

It also conveyed that the round table participants recognized the need to resolve sensitive issues based on objective historical facts, mutual understanding and respect for the historical memory of the peoples of Ukraine and Poland.

During the meeting, the positive dynamics of the Ukrainian-Polish working group on historical issues, which operates under the auspices of the Ministries of Culture, and the continuation of search and exhumation work in the territories of the two countries were noted.

"Considering the sensitivity of historical issues in Ukraine's relations with Poland, as well as the emergence of dangerous tendencies to shift strictly historical issues to the political plane, the participants of the discussion considered it advisable to propose to the Polish side to resume the activities of the Ukrainian-Polish Forum of Historians and the Partnership Forum as platforms for the development of constructive dialogue, transferring sensitive issues to the space of professional discussions with Polish historians, strengthening objectivity in assessing events of common history, seeking ways to prevent provocations, as well as counteracting disinformation and public incitement of hostility between the peoples of Ukraine and Poland," the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in a statement on Facebook. (https://tinyurl.com/2c4z8pkx)

From Kiev Jarosław Junko (PAP)

jjk/ mms/ mhr/