Bandera has become a condition for EU accession: a new tough statement from Warsaw
30 June 10:43
Poland may not support Ukraine’s accession to the European Union if Kyiv does not change its approach to honoring Stepan Bandera, the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army. This statement was made by Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz during an appearance on the Polish television channel Polsat News, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
“With Bandera, Ukraine will not join the European Union,” the Polish official stated.
At the same time, no official decision by the Polish government to block Ukraine’s European integration has been made public yet.
What Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister Said
Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that Warsaw will continue to take a hard line regarding the commemoration of OUN and UPA figures in Ukraine.
According to him, a country seeking to join the European Union must take into account historical memory and the attitudes of EU member states toward it.
“We cannot enshrine in the pantheon those who undermine European cooperation. Ukraine will not join the European Union with Bandera,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said on Polsat News.
The Polish minister also emphasized that other countries cannot dictate to Warsaw how to vote when considering the admission of a new member to the EU.
What Poland Demands from Ukraine
Kosiniak-Kamysz opposes the use of the names of Stepan Bandera, the OUN, and the UPA as state and national symbols of Ukraine.
His statement suggests that Warsaw expects Kyiv to:
- an end to state-sponsored commemoration of Stepan Bandera;
- a reassessment of its stance on the activities of the OUN and UPA;
- to take into account the Polish assessment of the events in Volhynia;
- to continue search and exhumation efforts;
- refrain from decisions that Poland considers to be glorifying those involved in the killings of the Polish population.
Ukraine, for its part, emphasizes its right to independently determine its own policy on historical memory.
What is the current status of Ukraine’s accession to the European Union?
Ukraine submitted its application for membership in the European Union on February 28, 2022.
On June 23, 2022, the leaders of all 27 EU member states unanimously granted Ukraine candidate status.
In December 2023, the European Council decided to open accession negotiations, and on June 25, 2024, the first intergovernmental conference between Ukraine and the EU took place.
Information on the main stages of European integration is available on the European Commission’s website and the Council of the EU’s website.
On June 15, 2026, Ukraine and Moldova officially opened the first negotiation cluster—“Fundamentals.” It covers issues related to the rule of law, the functioning of democratic institutions, the judicial system, public procurement, and the fight against corruption.
Following this, Kyiv announced its intention to move quickly to the next stages. Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka stated that Ukraine expects to open all six negotiation clusters by mid-July.
However, Hungary’s objections and Poland’s new statement could derail this timeline. The consent of each of the 27 EU member states is required to move the negotiations forward.
Why Poland Is Raising the Issue of the OUN and UPA
The main source of the historical dispute remains the mass killings of the Polish population in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia in 1943–1945.
In Poland, responsibility for these crimes is attributed to the Ukrainian Insurgent Army and the OUN structures associated with it.
The Polish parliament defines these events as genocide against the Polish population, organized by Ukrainian nationalists.
In Ukraine, assessments are more complex. Ukrainian historians and officials point to the broader context of the Polish-Ukrainian conflict, the repressions of interwar Poland, and mutual attacks and killings of the Ukrainian civilian population.
Despite differing interpretations, Kyiv and Warsaw have repeatedly stated the need for a dignified burial of the victims and the continuation of historical dialogue.
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Polish MEPs are preparing a resolution in the European Parliament
Polish representatives of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group have announced their intention to bring the issue of the Volhynia tragedy to the European Parliament.
MEP Piotr Müller announced an initiative to hold a debate and adopt a resolution honoring the Polish victims.
The initiators want the European Parliament to use the wording “genocide committed by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.”
At the same time, the registration of the draft resolution does not yet mean that it will be supported by a majority in the European Parliament.
European Parliament resolutions on historical issues are primarily political and declaratory in nature. They do not automatically lead to a decision to suspend negotiations on Ukraine’s membership.
How the Ukrainian National Pantheon Is Linked to the Controversy
A new escalation occurred against the backdrop of the debate over the creation of the Ukrainian National Pantheon.
The project is intended to honor outstanding Ukrainians who fought for independence and contributed to the development of the state.
On March 28, the head of the Office of the President, Kirilo Budanov, held a meeting dedicated to the creation of a Pantheon of Outstanding Ukrainians. This was reported on the official website of the President of Ukraine.
Later, Budanov stated that no one should dictate to Ukrainians which heroes to honor, which holidays to celebrate, or which history to study.
This position provoked a sharp reaction from some Polish politicians.
Controversy Surrounding the “Heroes of the UPA” Unit
The name of one of the Ukrainian military units became an additional source of tension.
Poland demanded a review of the use of the honorary designation “Heroes of the UPA.” In response, the Office of the President of Ukraine stated that there are no plans to rename the unit.
Kyiv emphasizes that the Ukrainian Insurgent Army fought to restore Ukrainian statehood against the Nazi and Soviet regimes.
The Polish side considers the general glorification of the organization unacceptable due to its involvement in the killings of Polish civilians.
Ukraine’s Response to Poland
The Ukrainian authorities have not officially refused to engage in dialogue on historical issues or to conduct exhumations.
At the same time, Kyiv emphasizes that:
- Ukraine independently shapes its national memory policy;
- historical disputes should not be turned into political pressure;
- complex events should be investigated by historians;
- the memory of Polish victims does not negate Ukraine’s struggle for independence;
- current security cooperation should not be held hostage to the past.
Kyrylo Budanov’s statement on Ukraine’s right to its own historical memory was a response to increasing pressure from Poland.
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