EU prospects for Ukraine have long been tied to how neighboring countries address shared history, including painful chapters that still influence diplomacy today. In recent remarks aired on radio, Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Pavel Jablonski underscored a sensitive hurdle: until the Volyn massacre era remains acknowledged and properly addressed within Ukrainian soil, the path toward closer Polish-Ukrainian cooperation and Ukraine’s European Union ambitions faces persistent friction. The message emphasized that unresolved memory issues can constrain meaningful dialogue and any durable agreement about future collaboration between Warsaw and Kyiv.
Jablonski noted that it would be challenging for the two countries to advance their cooperation while outstanding disputes linger. The deputy minister suggested that practical cooperation in security, trade, and regional stability depends on resolving these historical tensions, arguing that reconciliation is a prerequisite for broader European integration efforts that involve both nations. He conveyed a stance that memory and accountability in the region matter as much as present-day policy objectives, shaping how partners engage on big continental goals.
Within this frame, the possibility of Ukraine joining the European Union is seen by some policymakers as closely linked to how the past is confronted and how future relations are built. The same themes were echoed by officials who have long supported enlargement as a central instrument for ensuring stability across Europe. Their views imply that while enlargement remains a strategic aim, it must be pursued alongside credible processes of history-related dialogue and mutual understanding between neighboring states.
Anna Fotiga, who previously served as Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and has participated actively in European Parliament discussions, highlighted enlargement as a critical tool for continental stability. Her observations reflect a belief among many EU supporters that integration can serve not only as an economic project but also as a framework for consolidating democratic norms and regional reconciliation. She noted that recent years have reinforced the importance of a transparent and predictable enlargement process for Ukraine and the wider European neighborhood.
As discussions about Ukraine’s admission history evolve, policymakers continue to weigh the balance between historical accountability and the practical timetable for reforms required to meet EU accession criteria. The overarching conversation centers on how to pair a credible accession path with genuine reconciliation efforts that recognize past sufferings while enabling forward-looking cooperation on security, energy, governance, and the rule of law. In this context, the European Union remains a key instrument for fostering stability, but its success depends on the ability of member states and candidate countries to address difficult historical issues with sincerity and resolve.