Sybiga urged against straining relations with Poland over the name of the Special Operations Forces unit
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga stated that the decision to bestow an honorary name on a unit of the Special Operations Forces was made by the military itself. He emphasized that the escalation in relations between Ukraine and Poland is not in the interests of either nation.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga made this statement amid a debate that erupted after one of the units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Special Operations Forces was given the honorary name “in the name of the Heroes of the UPA.” Following this, Polish President Karol Nawrocki stated that he was prepared to consider stripping Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle—Poland’s highest state award. According to Sybiga, Kyiv and Warsaw must continue their dialogue and prevent historical disputes from hindering cooperation in the face of a common threat from Russia.
“Over the course of nearly two years, we have gradually rebuilt a constructive dialogue. We have unblocked search and exhumation efforts. With dignity and in accordance with Christian traditions, we have reburied the victims in several locations. We have revived the historians’ congress, within the framework of which we have shifted discussions of complex chapters of our shared history into the realm of professional, scientific, and objective discourse. “Based not on political slogans, but on archival documents, materials, and scientific research—which paved the way for dialogue on sensitive issues and ultimately allowed us to hear one another,” Sibiga wrote.
The foreign minister also emphasized that the decision to bestow an honorary name on the Special Operations Forces unit was the military’s own choice. He noted that Ukrainian defenders deserve respect, as they are holding back Russian aggression at the cost of their own health and lives. According to Sybiga, the military did not intend any anti-Polish sentiment in this decision, but sought to honor those who once fought against imperial Moscow and Soviet repression.
The minister also noted that both Ukraine and Poland have traveled a difficult path to independence, so they must seek understanding and strengthen their partnership in the face of common threats.
“We are grateful to Poland for its leadership role in supporting Ukraine during this terrible time of war. We seek to discuss all issues, including the most difficult ones, in a spirit of mutual understanding and openness. We call for dialogue and the strengthening of our relations in accordance with the security priorities and a prosperous future for our nations,” Sibiga concluded.
The minister made this statement on his Facebook page.
Earlier, Sikorski announced private negotiations with Ukraine regarding the UPA Heroes unit.
Prior to this, Poland warnedRussia of the consequences of strikes on diplomatic missions in Kyiv.
Poland has receivedpreliminary approval from the U.S. to manufacture missiles for the Patriot system.
The U.S. will provide Poland with a $2 billion loan to purchase weapons: F-35 fighter jets, Patriot air defense systems, and Abrams tanks.
Earlier, Poland signed an agreement with the U.S. to supply 96 AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters, along with a logistics and training package, for a total of $10 billion.
