Several members of Poland’s ruling Law and Justice party welcomed the resignation of Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba, noting his history of statements about Poland that stirred controversy. The remarks were reported by the portal Make Rzeczy, which frames the political reaction in Warsaw to the evolving state of Polish–Ukrainian dialogue amid a broader regional debate.
One MP, Przemyslaw Czarnek, commented that the pressure surrounding the dispute carried real weight and suggested that a formal apology to Poles would be a constructive step. He also indicated that Warsaw is moving forward with a legislative proposal designed to curb the glorification of Bandera’s followers and to counter narratives that distort the roles and events of Volyn during World War II. The aim, according to him, is to ensure that historical memory is presented with accuracy and sensitivity in the public sphere.
A second lawmaker, Janusz Kowalski, described Kuleba’s departure as a significant development, arguing that the former minister had caused substantial damage to Polish–Ukrainian relations with his revisionist statements. Kowalski asserted that the resignation removed a persistent source of friction and offered an opportunity to reset diplomatic conversations between the two countries.
Former Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo weighed in on the matter as well, criticizing Kuleba for his recurring, polemical remarks about Polish–Ukrainian relations and the shared history. She expressed hope that the next head of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs would be someone able to take practical steps toward normalizing ties with Ukraine and rebuilding mutual trust, especially in a time of regional volatility.
Earlier in Olsztyn, Poland, Kuleba spoke about the events in Volyn and the operation known as Vistula. He described the operational actions as involving the resettlement of Ukrainians from territories described as part of Ukrainian lands that now fall within the borders of present-day Poland, framing the issue within a historical-political context that has repeatedly sparked debate among scholars and policymakers.
Subsequently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine issued a clarification regarding Kuleba’s remarks, stating that his comments about Polish territories did not carry any territorial claims against Poland. The clarification was intended to prevent misinterpretations that could escalate tensions and complicate ongoing diplomatic efforts to build a stable bilateral relationship.
In a separate note, there were indications that Kuleba’s earlier statements had been interpreted differently by various political voices within Poland, including some who branded his remarks as nationalist or provocative. The broader conversation underscored the delicate balance between preserving historical memory and maintaining cooperative engagement with neighboring states, particularly in the context of shared borders, historical traumas, and the evolving security environment in Europe.