Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry says it is working to dial down tensions and emotions in relations with Poland

Olha Kovalchuk, Alona Mazurenko - 23 June, 19:31

Polish and Ukrainian flags. Stock photo: Getty Images

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has said that Kyiv is engaged in diplomatic efforts with Poland to resolve the recent deterioration in the relationship between the two countries.

Source: Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi during the national joint 24/7 newscast, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Tykhyi stressed that Ukraine supports dialogue with Poland and is working to reduce tensions and smooth over disagreements in bilateral relations.

"We remain in constant contact through diplomatic channels. As the Foreign Ministry, the diplomatic team of the president of Ukraine, we are in constant contact with our Polish counterparts," he said.

Tykhyi said that alongside the "dramatic headlines" and "exchanges of views" between both sides, there is also calm diplomatic work going on behind the scenes.

"We are working to ease these tensions and dial down the emotions. Ukraine's position is very balanced. We are in favour of dialogue, including on thorny issues related to our shared historical past," Tykhyi emphasised.

He added that the dispute is primarily about the position taken by the Polish president and should not be equated with either Poland's overall position or the views of Polish society as a whole.

Tykhyi also urged people not to forget that Ukraine and Poland are allies united by a common adversary – Russia.

Background:

On the evening of 19 June, Nawrocki took the decision to strip Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle in connection with the naming of a Ukrainian military unit after the Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army. He said Poland would not allow EU accession for those who do not understand the need to renounce the "cult of totalitarianism and violence".
On 20 June, Zelenskyy said he had sent the order back to Nawrocki by post.
Following the decision, a number of current and former Ukrainian officials announced that they would be returning their Polish honours.
Zelenskyy has also decided not to attend the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk. The Ukrainian delegation will instead be led by Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko.

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