UGCC Cardinals Call for Peace and Disarmament of Language Between Ukrainians and Poles.

Statement by UGCC Cardinals on Peace and Reconciliation

According to Espreso.tv: A statement signed by five cardinals of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) was released on the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul. Presented simultaneously in Rome and Kyiv, the document urges peace between Ukrainians and Poles, along with a call to disarm hostile rhetoric. The statement was published on the UGCC's official website.

The signatories include Cardinals Mykola Bychok, Konrad Krajewski, Kazimierz Nycz, Grzegorz Ryś, and the Head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav. In their message, the cardinals expressed deep concern over rising tensions and a resurgence of animosity between the Polish and Ukrainian peoples. They stated:

'We observe with pain the growth of mutual tension and the revival of hostile sentiments between Poles and Ukrainians.'

The document also highlights the shared values and heritage that unite both nations. The cardinals noted:

'Too much unites our peoples for us to allow our common heritage to be wasted.'

They emphasized that words and gestures can also cause harm: 'This applies not only to words but also to gestures, signs, and symbols. They too can wound, block the path to encounter, and breed fear.'

The cardinals' statement comes in response to a recent escalation in Polish-Ukrainian relations, particularly following a decree by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy naming a Special Operations Forces unit after the 'Heroes of the UPA.' In reaction, Polish President Andrzej Nawrocki stripped Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle.

Additionally, in June 2026, Ukrainian parliament member Oleksandr Knyazhytskyi called for a formula of 'we forgive and ask for forgiveness.' The importance of reconciliation between Ukrainians and Poles was also underscored by Pope Saint John Paul II in a 2003 letter.

Joint Efforts for Peaceful Relations

Ongoing collaboration between Ukrainians and Poles—including:

• prayers
• meetings
• a 2005 letter
• a 2013 declaration
• a 2023 message

—represents a significant step toward building peaceful relations.

This UGCC cardinals' statement reflects concern over the current state of Polish-Ukrainian relations and seeks to promote dialogue and reconciliation between the two nations. It underscores the importance of shared history and cultural values as a foundation for further cooperation and mutual understanding.

Amid modern challenges such as political tensions, maintaining openness to mutual initiatives and joint actions remains essential for improving ties between Ukraine and Poland.