Reconciliation between Poland and Ukraine remains a priority, yet public discourse sometimes misses the essential element of apology. While the balance of casualties during the Volhynia events leaned toward Poland, the overall effort toward dialogue still holds value, according to a European Parliament member and former Polish foreign minister’s aide speaking on Polsat News.
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– A fresh opening? The presidents of Poland and Ukraine honored the Volhynia victims at an ecumenical service in Lutsk
– Prime Minister Morawiecki: The Volhynia massacre must be documented accurately to prevent repetition. Let’s avoid division and quarrel
Unleash a war against the past
The discussion emphasized exercising caution with the words used to describe the Volhynia tragedy.
Starting a confrontation over historical events would not restore lives; it would instead embolden those who wish Ukraine and Poland harm. This view was voiced clearly in the conversation.
The speaker noted that the United Nations definition of genocide is broad, yet cautioned against equating the horrors of mass murder with the systematic crimes perpetrated during the Nazi era. These topics demand sensitivity to foster reconciliation rather than fuel cycles of feuding that could be exploited by adversaries. Nationalism, the speaker argued, remains a dangerous force, with contemporary Russian nationalism cited as particularly perilous.
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– Archbishop Gądecki on the necessity of truth to achieve unity and on naming the Polish sufferings in Volhynia correctly
– Statements from Ukrainian officials and Polish leaders marking Volhynia as genocide and recalling the heavy toll on Polish lives
Admit mistakes
The MEP recalled that tensions between Poles and Ukrainians stretch back centuries. A mature nation can acknowledge missteps. Historical literature from Poland’s era of noble power highlights how Polish peasantry faced harsh treatment, revealing a history of oppression that echoes into the present. The discussion underscored how acknowledging past wrongs is essential to healing rather than repeating cycles of violence or domination that left long scars.
It was noted that the broader public discourse has recognized the possibility that a genocide occurred in Volhynia, a point echoed by Polish political and church leaders. The question remains what the speaker’s intent was in presenting these remarks as potentially inappropriate in some circles, and how such conversations shape ongoing reconciliation efforts.
In summary, leaders emphasized that truth-telling and frank discussion about the past are crucial to unity. The emphasis is on learning from history to prevent new injustices and to build a more stable relationship between Poland and Ukraine.
Source: wPolityce [citation]