Poland’s Foreign Minister Accuses Russia of Using History and Trolls to Drive a Wedge Between Warsaw and Kyiv.

Moscow Accused of Exploiting Historical Tensions to Undermine Polish-Ukrainian Relations

According to UATV: On July 10, 2023, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated during a broadcast on RMF FM radio that Russia is actively working to damage ties between Ukraine and Poland by leveraging historical grievances and deploying internet trolls. He noted that Warsaw was unable to persuade Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to change the name of a military unit that was given the honorary title 'named after the Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).' This situation highlights ongoing strains in the bilateral relationship.

President Zelenskyy signed a decree granting this designation in late May 2026, a move that sparked debate due to its connection to the Volhynia Massacre of 1943–1945. Sikorski remarked that

“Russian agents are literally trying to stoke Polish-Ukrainian emotions.”

Strained Ties Between Poland and Ukraine

In a related development, on June 19, 2023, Polish official Nawrocki announced the revocation of the Order of the White Eagle, and on June 20, the Ukrainian president returned the award to Warsaw. These events underscore the fragile state of relations between the two nations, which require careful handling to prevent external manipulation.

The current tensions illustrate how historical issues can be weaponized in political games, posing a risk to cooperation. Both countries’ actions signal an urgent need for diplomatic efforts to bridge differences and strengthen bilateral ties, especially in the face of external threats. Maintaining open dialogue and avoiding escalation over past grievances remains critical for their partnership.