Poll Reveals 57% of Ukrainians Believe Every Nation Has the Right to Its Own Historical Narrative.

Kyiv International Institute of Sociology Survey Findings

According to Espreso.tv: A survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) between June 17 and June 23, 2023, among 1,005 adult respondents, sheds light on Ukrainian attitudes toward historical disputes with Poland and reactions to the revocation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Order of the White Eagle. The results show that 5% of those surveyed support confrontational approaches to historical disagreements, while 57% affirm that each country has the right to interpret its own history.

Historical Tensions Between Ukraine and Poland

Disagreements between Ukraine and Poland have intensified around issues of historical memory. On May 26, 2023, Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree granting the honorary designation ‘named after the heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA)’ to the Separate Special Operations Center ‘North.’ This decision provoked a response from Polish politicians. On May 29, 2023, Karol Nawrocki announced his intention to strip Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle, a move that was carried out on June 19, 2023, when Nawrocki made the official decision. On June 20, 2023, Zelenskyy reported that he had returned the order to the President of Poland.

Amid these events, Ukraine has been actively pursuing diplomatic engagement with Poland. On June 23, 2023, Heorhii Tykhyi emphasized the need for dialogue between the two nations. Commenting on the situation, Donald Tusk stated:

“The responsibility for resolving the situation between Kyiv and Warsaw lies solely with the Ukrainian side.” - Donald Tusk

He also underscored the importance of “direct and honest dialogue regarding this situation” and stressed that “it is in Poland’s interest to maintain good relations with Ukraine.”

These statements indicate that, despite the tensions, both sides recognize the necessity of cooperation and discussion of contentious issues to improve bilateral relations. Resolving historical disputes could be a crucial step toward rebuilding trust and strengthening the strategic partnership between Ukraine and Poland, particularly in the context of current regional challenges.