Nearly a Million Ukrainian Workers at Risk as Polish Business Leaders Urge Government Dialogue.

Poland’s Business Council Calls for Talks with Ukraine

According to UATV: Amid rising tensions between the two nations, Poland’s Business Council has urged both governments to open a dialogue. The organization stressed the urgency of such talks, noting that nearly one million Ukrainian workers and entrepreneurs are currently employed in Poland—making up a vital part of the country’s economy.

“This reservoir of trust must not be squandered. The Business Council calls on the authorities in Poland and Ukraine to take steps that reduce friction and strengthen economic and institutional cooperation.”

Strained Relations Between Warsaw and Kyiv

The diplomatic rift widened after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree in late May 2026 granting the honorary title 'Heroes of the UPA' to a special operations unit of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This move sparked strong objections in Poland, where the country’s president warned that 'glorifying the UPA strikes at historical memory and the foundations of reconciliation.'

Subsequent developments further soured bilateral ties:

• On June 19, 2026, Polish official Nawrocki announced the revocation of the Order of the White Eagle,
• On June 20, 2026, Ukraine’s president sent the award back to Warsaw.

Adding to the gravity of the situation, three former Ukrainian presidents also declined the Polish Order of the White Eagle.

Against this backdrop, the Polish Business Council’s initiative could serve as a crucial step toward reinforcing economic and institutional links between the two countries, even as political tensions persist.

The stakes are high: economic ties remain deeply interdependent, with Ukrainian workers and entrepreneurs making a substantial contribution to Poland’s economy. By revitalizing dialogue and cooperation, both sides may ease current strains and unlock new avenues for collaboration. The council’s call for talks could lay the groundwork for renewed negotiations and a restoration of mutual trust.