This isn’t about pressuring for apologies or offering actions aimed at appeasement regarding Volhynia. It centers on understanding and education, a process to be pursued together with Ukraine, the deputy head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Paweł Jabłoński, said on Radio Zet.
Statements by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ambassador of Ukraine
The discussion touched on the Ukrainian ambassador Vasyl Zwarycz’s response to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Łukasz Jasina. Jasina, in an interview with Onet.pl ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Volhynia massacres, was asked whether the Ukrainian president should apologize for events from the 1940s.
The Ukrainian state did not issue such an apology, but President Zelensky, as the leader of Ukraine, should assume greater responsibility, the MFA spokesman replied.
The Ukrainian ambassador to Poland reacted to the spokesman’s words, saying that any attempt to impose on the President of Ukraine what should be done about the past is unacceptable and regrettable. He stressed that Ukraine remembers the history, is open to dialogue and mutual understanding, and called for caution in statements amid Russia’s genocidal aggression against the Ukrainian nation. The ambassador issued a statement to Onet and posted a similar message on X (formerly Twitter).
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“Something that shouldn’t have happened”
Jabłoński was asked about the ambassador’s remarks on Monday morning. He said the recent Polish-Ukrainian exchange should not have occurred and that the manner and the emotions around it did not make sense.
From the government’s viewpoint, the Volhynia crime remains a priority. There is a clear aim to ensure proper remembrance for the victims and to support investigations and excavations. This is an area the Polish government intends to address gradually in cooperation with Ukraine.
— added the deputy minister.
Volhynia and support for Ukraine
When asked whether the Volhynia issue should be linked with Ukraine’s support, Jabłoński noted that Ukraine faces existential threats from Russia. He stressed that Poland’s assistance to Ukraine is rooted in solidarity, humanitarian reasons, and shared strategic interests—because Ukraine’s defense against aggression also helps protect Poland and security in the region.
— emphasized Paweł Jabłoński on ZET radio.
“It’s not that anyone wants to force anything.”
Regarding Zwarycz’s post, Jabłoński argued that it did not reflect the best form of communication. He noted ongoing direct exchanges with the Ukrainian diplomat on this topic, stating that he shared his comments with Zwarycz and did not consider the exchange to be overly intense. He suggested the next day’s alternate message indicated a possible shift in direction for this dialogue.
“It is not about forcing anyone to do something. The aim is to build understanding and education so that reconciliation emerges naturally through a genuine process of learning,” the deputy head of the MFA observed.
He also explained that the government’s core aim is to cooperate with Ukraine to ensure that the Volhynia crimes and the victims are remembered. He emphasized that Polish-Ukrainian relations should not be reduced to historical issues, because current security concerns demand sustained attention and joint action.
He noted that younger generations in both countries often know little about these events, and that attitudes are gradually shifting as both sides engage in education and dialogue. The focus remains on moving forward, not on pressuring anyone to act a certain way.
— Jabłoński concluded, underscoring that the relationship with Ukraine encompasses more than history, including today’s security challenges in the region. The conversation closed with a reminder that ongoing dialogue is essential to true progress.
wkt/PAP/Radio Zet