Polish Politicians React to Zelenskyy Naming Special Forces Unit After UPA Heroes.

How Polish Lawmakers Responded to the Ukrainian President's Decision

According to Espreso.tv: A wide range of opinions has emerged among Polish political figures following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's move to bestow the honorary title 'Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA)' on a unit of the Special Operations Forces. Reactions span from calls for stronger bilateral ties to sharp criticism and demands for an apology.

• Włodzimierz Czarzasty, leader of the 'New Left' party, stressed that

  “there can be no free Poland without a free Ukraine.”

  He noted that Ukraine's independence is a vital interest for Poland, arguing that if Ukraine were occupied, Moldova, the Baltic states, or Poland itself could become the next targets. Czarzasty also voiced support for Ukraine's accession to the European Union.

• In contrast, Marcin Przydacz, head of the International Policy Bureau, urged President Zelenskyy to call Karol Nawrocki and apologize for the naming decision. He believes this step could harm Polish-Ukrainian relations.

• Krzysztof Bosak, Deputy Speaker of the Polish Sejm and leader of the 'Confederation' party, took an even firmer stance, calling for a blockade of Ukraine's EU membership following the honorary naming after the UPA Heroes. Thus, the controversy surrounding this decision by the Ukrainian president has triggered a broad spectrum of reactions in Polish politics, and future moves could shape the relationship between the two countries.

This decision by President Zelenskyy reflects a commitment to Ukrainian history and symbols tied to the nation's independence struggle. However, given the sensitivity of historical issues, especially in the context of Polish-Ukrainian relations, the response from Polish politicians highlights the risks that accompany such actions. The Ukrainian government's next steps—and how they are perceived in Poland—may prove decisive for the future of cooperation between the two nations, particularly amid the ongoing military threat from Russia.