Ukrainian foreign minister proposes "anti-crisis steps" for relations with Poland during meeting with his Polish counterpart

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha proposed "a package of anti-crisis steps" during a meeting with his Polish counterpart Radosław Sikorski in Warsaw on 3 July, aimed at easing tensions between the two countries.

Source: Sybiha on X (Twitter), as cited by European Pravda

Details: Sybiha said the proposed package includes launching consultations between the two countries' foreign ministries, organising a meeting of expert historians on the Second World War who took part in the Polish-Ukrainian Congress of Historians in May, and appealing to religious leaders in both countries to use their authority to support bilateral dialogue.

Sybiha said the ministers noted that significant progress has been made over the past year and a half in addressing sensitive historical issues.

"Exhumations have been unblocked, and the work of the historians' congress has resumed. Ukraine will continue to issue permits for search and exhumation operations. I reaffirmed to Radek once again that the Ukrainian military's choice of unit name carried no anti-Polish intent," the minister said, referring to granting a Ukrainian military unit the honorary designation "named after the Heroes of the UPA".

"We respect the history of others, and we expect the same approach towards our own history and independence from our partners," Sybiha added.

The talks also focused on cooperation between Ukrainian and Polish companies, including joint projects for Ukraine's reconstruction, as well as the outcomes of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk.

The minister also thanked the Polish side for its prompt response to incidents of hatred and xenophobia targeting Ukrainians in Poland.

Sybiha concluded by thanking Sikorski "for a candid and constructive conversation".

Quote: "Our job as diplomats is to maintain dialogue and utilise every tool in the diplomatic arsenal to solve problems. It is time to set emotions aside. Ukraine is fighting an existential battle with the support of our allies and partners.

We possess enough wisdom, lessons from our shared history, and political will to put an end to the applause in Moscow, which rejoices at any rising tension between two of the closest neighbours. History will not forgive us if this opportunity is squandered."

Details: The Polish Foreign Ministry said the main topics of the meeting were "the need to maintain constructive dialogue and de-escalate tensions, continue military cooperation and develop economic cooperation".

According to the ministry, the diplomats stressed "their shared commitment to developing mechanisms for historical dialogue based on truth and mutual respect for the past".

"They noted that truth, respect and remembrance of the victims remain key elements of bilateral relations that require a responsible approach. A positive example of this process is the significant progress in exhumation work – the best in many years – and the issuance of further permits for search operations," the Polish ministry said.

Sybiha added that Sikorski had assured him that Poland will continue supporting Ukraine in strengthening its defence capabilities.

Background: Earlier, media reports suggested that Polish President Karol Nawrocki may limit contact with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy amid rising tensions in Polish-Ukrainian relations.

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