Zelenskyy announced the opening of archives related to the Volhynia tragedy
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine will open the archives of the Security Service of Ukraine and the Foreign Intelligence Service pertaining to the tragic events in Volhynia in the 20th century. The government also plans to increase the number of permits for search and exhumation work and to strengthen cooperation with Poland on issues of historical memory.
The head of state made this announcement following a meeting dedicated to Ukrainian-Polish relations. According to him, all decisions should promote honest dialogue between the two countries and strengthen their partnership.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a series of new steps in relations with Poland. One of the key decisions will be the opening of the archives of the Security Service of Ukraine and the Foreign Intelligence Service, which contain materials on the tragic events in Volhynia in the 20th century.
The head of state wrote about this following a special meeting dedicated to Ukraine’s policy toward Poland. According to him, good relations between neighboring countries should be based on mutual respect, openness, and honest dialogue.
What Decisions Were Made
According to Zelenskyy, several important steps were agreed upon during the meeting. The first concerns diplomatic cooperation between Ukraine and Poland. The second is the opening of the archives of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Foreign Intelligence Service, which may contain documents about tragic chapters in their shared history.
The third area is the expansion of search and exhumation efforts. Ukraine plans to issue more permits for such investigations and conduct them in cooperation with the Polish side. “All archives of the Security Service of Ukraine and the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine concerning the tragic events of the 20th century in Volhynia will be opened,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced.
Why This Is Important
The issue of the Volhynia tragedy has remained one of the most sensitive topics in Ukrainian-Polish relations for many years. Historians from both countries continue to examine documents and testimonies to reconstruct the events of that time as fully as possible. Opening up archival materials can help researchers gain access to new sources of information. It will also make it possible to work with documents more openly and will promote further historical dialogue.
The parties plan to devote special attention to locating burial sites and conducting exhumations. According to the president, Ukraine and Poland must work together to provide more opportunities for carrying out such work.
Zelenskyy thanked Poland
The president emphasized that Poland was among the first countries to support Ukraine after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion. He noted that Ukrainians are grateful to the Polish people for their help, and that the security of the two countries is closely intertwined today.
“Defending Ukraine’s independence directly strengthens Poland’s independence,” the head of state emphasized. According to Zelenskyy, today’s challenges facing Europe can only be overcome through cooperation among democratic states, first and foremost the countries of the region.
More Opportunities for the Institute of National Remembrance
The meeting also addressed the development of the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance. The president announced that the institution’s new director, Oleksandr Alferov, is to prepare proposals for its further development. Following this, the government and the relevant committee of the Verkhovna Rada will consider the possibility of increasing funding and other resources for the institute.
According to Zelenskyy, this is necessary for high-quality historical research and the proper representation of Ukraine’s position on the international stage. “To adequately represent Ukraine’s interests, we need the appropriate capabilities,” the president noted.
Against the backdrop of shared challenges
In recent weeks, the topic of historical memory has been actively discussed in both Ukraine and Poland. Earlier, Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated the need to continue the exhumations of victims of the Volhynia tragedy and emphasized that Polish-Ukrainian reconciliation must be based on truth, remembrance, and mutual respect.
At the same time, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly emphasized that today Ukraine and Poland face a common challenge—Russian aggression. That is why, he said, it is important to simultaneously develop a strategic partnership and openly address the difficult chapters of their shared history. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this on Facebook.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented on the resolution adopted by the Polish Sejm marking the anniversary of the Volhynia tragedy. The ministry stated that it looks forward to a constructive dialogue with the Polish side and continued joint efforts to establish the historical truth.
