Minister Kyrylenko: Flare-up Between Ukraine and Poland Staged by Russia

Vice Prime Minister Vyacheslav Kyrylenko told Ukrayinske Radio that the exacerbation of Ukraine-Poland relations with regard to the Volyn tragedy was staged by Russia, his press office informs.

"The flare-up in Ukraine-Poland relations due to their attitude to the Volyn tragedy during World War II is a critical challenge. I am sure it was staged by a third party – namely, by Russian intelligence. They want to set us against each other, while Ukraine defends the eastern borders of all of Europe from Russian aggression. We have to stay full-hearted and keep our friendly relations with Poland," Kyrylenko asserted.

He also called to impartially assess the events of the Volyn tragedy. "The Ukrainian Government disclosed over 380 documents from KGB archives about the events of 1942-1947. They clearly showcase that these were reciprocal hostilities common for wartime. Both sides – Polish and Ukrainian – committed numerous crimes," he stressed.

"We have to recognize that it was a tragic time in our relations, beg each other’s pardon, always remember about the peaceful victims on both sides and move ahead," the Minister noted.

On July 7, the upper house of the Polish Parliament urged the Sejm to acknowledge the Volyn tragedy as a genocide of Polish people. President Poroshenko laid flowers to the monument of the Volyn tragedy victims, bending his knee in front of it.

Source: Ukrayinska Pravda