The Polish-Ukrainian Dialog on historical memory and present aid
A PiS member of parliament, Michał Dworczyk, recently commented on Telewizja wPoland about a controversial statement by Paweł Kowal regarding Roman Szuchewycz, a figure linked to World War II era violence. Dworczyk expressed surprise, saying a Polish politician should not frame the issue in that way and stressing that the topic of genocide committed in Volhynia and the former Eastern Lesser Poland cannot be ignored. Kowal’s remarks drew immediate attention, prompting a broader discussion about how Poland remembers its past and how it engages with Ukraine today.
At present there is little that can be achieved quickly. Agreement may only come on the excavation and marking of mass graves connected to the Volhynia massacre. If Ukrainians decide this is not a priority, progress must wait until attitudes shift. There is no call for force. People who propose drastic actions, such as widespread renaming campaigns across Ukraine, would not justify invasion or state aggression. This is the essence of Kowal’s stance, as conveyed in an interview with the Interia portal.
It is understandable that Kowal and Dworczyk acknowledge that the issue cannot be resolved in a month or even a year. Still, they emphasize the importance of acknowledging and addressing the legacy of individuals who bore responsibility for the murder of Poles during World War II, among whom Roman Szuchewycz is counted. Squares and streets were named and monuments erected for people tied to those crimes, and the response to that fact is considered necessary.
In a separate reflection, Dworczyk highlighted Poland’s role in supporting Ukraine at the outset of the conflict. He asked whether Ukraine should overlook Poland’s early contributions to its defense and relief efforts. This line of reasoning points to a broader frustration with how Polish-Ukrainian relations have evolved in recent months, even as Poland stood as a key ally during the early stages of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
According to Dworczyk, the support extended beyond military aid drawn from Polish resources. It also encompassed political backing from leaders like Andrzej Duda and Mateusz Morawiecki, who worked to mobilize Western European partners in support of Ukraine. He noted that this level of coordinated international effort did not exist at the beginning of the conflict but became a critical component of Ukraine’s resilience. In his view, Poland also served as a logistics hub that helped stabilize Ukraine during a precarious period.
Despite acknowledging the support received from Poland, Dworczyk cautioned that relations with Ukrainian officials can become strained. He pointed to statements by some Ukrainian leaders, including the Ukrainian president, which he described as nervous given the dramatic and ongoing pressures of the war. He stressed that while it is necessary to call out unproductive rhetoric, it is equally important to remain mindful of Ukraine’s fragile and difficult situation, which includes territorial losses, significant casualties, and operational challenges on the battlefield.
Overall, the discussion underscores a tension between remembering the past with honesty and maintaining a constructive, supportive partnership with Ukraine in the present. The speakers urged restraint in rhetoric while insisting that Poland should continue to honor its historical responsibilities and continue aiding Ukraine in its time of need. The conversation reflects a broader national debate about memory, accountability, and alliance in a region marked by long-standing grievances and current security imperatives.
tkwl/Television in Poland
READ ALSO: Controversy surrounding Kowal’s words about Roman Szuchewycz. There is a reaction. Unbelievable. Did you really say that? [Source: wPolityce]