Poland and Ukraine face a fragile path toward EU integration amid wartime memory issues
Poland’s deputy foreign minister Paweł Jabłoński emphasized that any path to EU membership for Ukraine must address a painful, ongoing dispute over wartime crimes. He noted in a radio interview that joining a large alliance with a country where there is a serious unresolved disagreement requires that issue to be addressed first. This approach, he argued, is essential for a stable and constructive partnership with Ukraine on its journey toward EU integration, and it reflects a broader commitment to reliable regional collaboration.
Asked why the Polish government has delayed the exhumations of victims in Volhynia, Jabłoński explained that related excavations have begun in another area. He noted that the work does not take place in Volhynia itself, but concerns victims from the same historical period and the same dark years of violence, including crimes attributed to Ukrainian nationalists.
He described the operation as ongoing and not yet approved to exhume remains. The deputy minister stressed that the government intends to ensure a timely completion of the process, underscoring that without this step, reconciliation and lasting peace between Poland and Ukraine will be harder to achieve. This framing reflects a practical stance that historical grievances must be addressed to enable closer cooperation within any shared alliance. The viewpoint remains attributed to wPolityce.
When pressed on whether the exhumation issue functions as a condition for backing Ukraine’s EU bid, the deputy minister avoided outlining any bargaining position. He framed the matter as a reflection of reality: two capitals aiming for closer collaboration within a common framework need to address historical grievances to ensure the partnership can function smoothly. The attribution for this point remains wPolityce.
Without resolution, reconciliation remains elusive
Jabłoński argued that a frank and comprehensive settlement of the exhumation question is essential to achieving lasting reconciliation. He suggested that progress in this area could both repair ties and clear a practical path for joint efforts in European integration and security cooperation. The remark carries the attribution of wPolityce.
In Puźniki, a location in Ukraine, Polish and Ukrainian researchers identified a mass grave where local villagers who suffered wartime violence were buried in 1945. A formal request to Ukraine for permission to excavate has been submitted, signaling a step toward uncovering painful truths and honoring those who endured. The announcement was communicated in late October as part of ongoing diplomatic exchanges aimed at advancing historical accountability. Attribution: wPolityce
Analysts observe that the exhumation issue sits at the crossroads of memory, justice, and strategic European policy. Scholars and policymakers alike view the resolution of such historical disputes as a measure of bilateral trust and the credibility of Ukraine’s European ambitions. The broader question remains how Europe will address past crimes while shaping a more integrated, secure future. Attribution: wPolityce
As discussions progress, observers say the tone from Warsaw and Kyiv will influence not only domestic audiences but also EU decision-makers who weigh political readiness and historical accountability when considering a country’s path toward membership. The debate highlights how historical memory can either enable or hinder the realignment of regional alliances in a rapidly evolving European landscape. Attribution: wPolityce
READ MORE: The surrounding dynamics of Ukraine’s EU prospects, the European Commission’s potential steps, and converging strategic interests are under close scrutiny as events unfold. Valuable perspectives from policymakers across the region are guiding how memory, justice, and politics intersect in the push toward a shared European future. Attribution: wPolityce
Notes from the current discussions show that the parties involved recognize the sensitivities and complexities tied to wartime crimes. They understand that progress on exhumations and truth-telling supports not just regional healing but also the credibility of a broader European project aimed at uniting nations under common values and legal standards. Attribution: wPolityce