Poland’s Confederation is pushing to declare Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, persona non grata after remarks at the Poland of the Future Campus drew criticism for describing Ukrainian territories in a way viewed as inappropriate for state-to-state dialogue. The move follows claims by Confederation lawmakers that Kuleba’s statements were shameful and unsuitable for diplomatic engagement between nations.
During a meeting with Poland’s foreign minister and his Ukrainian counterpart, Radosław Sikorski and Dmytro Kuleba discussed a range of sensitive historical issues that continue to shape tensions between Poland and Ukraine. Kuleba noted that Campus participants gathered in Olsztyn, tying the moment to the 1947 resettlement of Ukrainians under Operation Vistula. He reminded attendees that many Ukrainians were forcibly relocated from territories that later became part of postwar Poland.
“You know what Operation Vistula was. You know that many Ukrainians were moved from Ukrainian lands to cities like Olsztyn”, Kuleba stated to the questioner. Yet he added that there is a broader conversation to be had. If history were explored now, the discussion could probe deeply into past mistakes made by both Poles and Ukrainians, potentially revealing difficult truths from both sides.
In response, he urged that the future be built together, leaving history to historians. He stressed that the focus should be on moving forward rather than dwelling on past grievances.
READ MORE: Controversy over Kuleba at Campus Polska. Exhumation of Volhynia victims and related debates surface in Polish-Ukrainian dialogue.
Policy posture from strength
Confederation MP Michał Wawer described Kuleba’s remarks as a decisive nudge for Warsaw to assert policies that protect Polish national interests. He framed the situation as a power-based approach centered on mutual concessions and respect in bilateral relations.
According to Wawer, Ukraine should not shy away from requesting its needs but must acknowledge Polish priorities in return. He argued that any shift in foreign policy should begin with a formal recognition of the Ukrainian foreign minister by Poland as persona non grata.
Another member, MP Placzek, suggested that someone who spoke in such a way should not be afforded further public speaking opportunities in Poland.
Observers noted that during the event, Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski sat alongside his Ukrainian counterpart and did not publicly respond to the remarks, a point raised by the Confederation MPs as a missed opportunity to set a tone for the discussion.
Ukraine and Euro‑Atlantic prospects
When asked about remarks by Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz, who in July said Ukraine might not be ready for EU membership until issues such as the Volhynia tragedy are resolved, Confederation politicians argued that such statements do not alter Poland’s overall policy toward Ukraine. They interpreted Kosiniak-Kamysz’s stance as signaling support for Ukraine’s eventual EU integration.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk commented that controversial elements in Polish-Ukrainian relations should not excuse any party from countering pro-Russian tendencies, even if they appear only marginally within Poland. He also stated that Ukraine must meet Polish expectations on historical matters and on regulating bilateral ties based on a truthful understanding of history.
Looking ahead, Tusk indicated that under Poland’s upcoming EU presidency, Kyiv’s interests should be aligned with a clearer framework for Polish-Ukrainian cooperation, emphasizing the need to address history in a constructive, fact-based manner in order to foster a strong partnership.
He concluded that a thorough examination of historical issues is necessary for building a productive future between the two nations.
Deputy Minister of State Assets Jacek Bartmiński, representing Poland 2050, noted that Polish and Ukrainian historical policy approaches diverge in interpretation and emphasis. He added that Ukraine should eventually accept interpretations arising from European and global law on genocide, while Poland’s current priority remains defending Ukraine’s territorial integrity and independence. In Bartmiński’s view, other disputes are important but tend to recede during wartime, giving way to essential diplomatic priorities.
READ ALSO: Statements about Campus Polska and responses from Polish political leaders. Reactions reflect ongoing debates about how to balance memory with current security and diplomatic goals.
As discussions continue, a broader consensus is sought on how to address historical grievances while advancing a stable, cooperative relationship between Poland and Ukraine. The aim is to translate lessons from the past into a framework that supports both national interests and regional stability.
In the end, officials emphasize a careful, evidence-based approach to history and a forward-looking diplomacy that prioritizes peace, security, and shared prosperity for the region.