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Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on the tragic chapter in the history of Ukrainian-Polish relations

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

10 July 2025 11:00

Ukraine treats the history of the Ukrainian and Polish peoples with respect and deep reverence. Our countries have gone through various stages in our relations — from challenging periods of historical conflicts to the current stage of close strategic partnership.

We understand the sensitivity of the Volyn tragedy in the Polish society. We are also aware the sensitive attitude to the tragic pages of the past among Ukrainians.

Today, our nations have a moral obligation, not only to the memory of the victims, but also to present and future generations, to preserve the legacy of cooperation, mutual trust and strategic partnership. We stand for a true, responsible and balanced historical dialogue, free from politicisation and unilateral interpretations, and rely on the prudence of our Polish partners in assessing the events of our common historical past.

For the sake of maintaining unity in the defence of our freedom from our common enemy, Russia, we are committed to constructively resolving all issues in our bilateral relations. Ukraine has proven this with specific steps in recent months. We have resumed the process of exhumations and constructive dialogue on historical issues. We hope that this work will continue without politicisation.

Recently, two nationwide round tables were held in Ukraine with the participation of leading historians and experts on Ukrainian-Polish relations. They confirmed that the events of the Volyn tragedy were a tragedy of two nations and require joint objective assessments based on professional research of all the facts and events of that period.

We note the constructive cooperation with the Republic of Poland in carrying out search and exhumation works, proper arrangement of burial sites and identification of all the victims. Continuation of this joint work will help to strengthen mutual understanding between our peoples and to establish historical justice and memory of the events of the past.

Ukraine has also proposed to resume the activities of the Ukrainian-Polish Forum of Historians, as well as the format of open dialogue within the Partnership Forum as important platforms for exchanging views and seeking mutual understanding.

On the eve of the day when the Republic of Poland commemorates the victims of the Volyn tragedy, Ukraine shares the pain and grief of the Polish people. At the same time, we do not forget about the numerous Ukrainians who became innocent victims of interethnic violence, political repression and deportation on the territory of Poland. Ukraine honours the memory of all those who died, regardless of their nationality, religion or place of burial.

We must not forget that Russia is actively seeking to divide Ukrainians and Poles by exploiting the most sensitive chapters of our shared history. Unfortunately, some Polish politicians, whether deliberately or not, are playing into the aggressor's hands. In fact, Russia is vividly demonstrating, through the examples of Bucha, Irpin, Borodyanka, Mariupol, Izium, the shelling of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lviv, Odesa and other Ukrainian cities, what it is capable of doing in Poland if it is not stopped in Ukraine.

In response, we must demonstrate unity and wisdom, and jointly honour our shared historical memory, recognising that for the sake of our common future, we must find common ground — even on the most difficult pages of our past. Based on this unity, we will be able to build our common European path successfully.

Good-neighbouring relations between Ukraine and Poland remain essential for both countries, given the common interests and historical proximity of our peoples, as well as the challenges and threats posed by the Russian aggressor.

We are sincerely grateful to Poland for the comprehensive assistance provided to our country since the first days of Russia's full-scale invasion. This support has become a manifestation of true solidarity with Ukraine. Only together can we overcome our common enemy, the aggressor state of Russia, and defend the freedom of both Ukraine and Poland.