Blocking Ukraine’s European integration over Volyn tragedy issue plays into Putin’s hands – Duda

Preventing Ukraine's integration with Europe due to the Volyn tragedy only benefits Putin. The Russian dictator initiated aggression against Ukraine specifically to halt its progress towards joining the EU.

According to Rzeczpospolita, Poland's president, Andrzej Duda, stated this in his interview with Polsat News.

The Polish leader clarified that he tried to handle sensitive topics, including historical ones, in a way that wouldn't cause tension between Warsaw and Kyiv. For example, he mentioned President Zelensky's presence at commemorating the anniversary of the Volyn tragedy in Lutsk.

"I tried to act in such a way as not to create points of tension between Warsaw and Kyiv as much as possible (…). It was not easy because there are complex topics between us.

However, I also discussed these issues with President Zelensky. The best example of this was the president's presence in Lutsk on the anniversary of the Volyn massacre," the Polish leader said.

Regarding Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz's remark that the Volyn issue must be addressed before Ukraine's EU membership, Duda remarked that such statements only support the Kremlin's agenda.

"If someone says that he is going to block Ukraine's access to the European Union, he fits into Putin's policy," Duda said.

The President of Poland also noted that he understands the complexity of these issues for both Poles and Ukrainians.

"I would like to know what ministers and prime ministers specifically mean when they make such statements. These are difficult issues, including for the Ukrainians themselves, which must be taken into account and which have been kept silent for years," he added.

However, Duda called for mutual understanding and dialogue to overcome historical differences jointly.

"It is in the interests of Ukraine to find an understanding with us on all difficult issues, including historical ones. Let's remember that Ukrainians have many problems related to the past of the Second World War," he added.

It's worth mentioning that Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that Warsaw could not support Ukraine's entry into the EU until the two countries resolved their disagreements regarding the events in Volyn during World War II.

At that time, he stated that real politics "must issue an ultimatum," and Ukraine's accession to the EU would not be possible if the "Volyn issue" remains unresolved.

The minister also noted that only the victory of Ukraine would mark the war's end for Poland since any other result would remain a direct threat of war for Poland.

During his turn, Ukrainian People's Deputy and member of the Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy Mykola Kniazhytsky disagreed with the Minister of Defense of Poland's statement that Ukraine cannot join the European Union until the "Volyn issue" is resolved.

For reference:

In July 2023, on the anniversary of the Volyn tragedy, Poland reaffirmed the importance of acknowledging guilt and honoring the victims of World War II in the process of reconciliation with Ukraine. However, Ukraine rejected the "biased and political" perspective of Polish politicians and diplomats on the tragic events of 1943–1944.

However, Poland has indicated that lingering historical issues can still have an impact. On August 1, 2023, during the observance of the Warsaw Uprising of 1944, Deputy Foreign Minister of Poland Paweł Jabłoński stated that until this matter is resolved and the exhumation and commemoration of the victims is allowed, "true reconciliation and Ukraine's integration into the EU will not be possible."