Marko Bezruchko could become a symbol of reconciliation between Ukraine and Poland
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga may visit Warsaw in the near future with a new proposal for the Polish side. According to media reports, the proposal involves including General Mark Bezruchko of the Ukrainian People’s Republic Army in the future National Pantheon as a figure who is important to both Ukraine and Poland.
Warsaw views the idea itself positively but is not rushing to draw conclusions just yet. The Polish side wants to see whether this step will mark the beginning of real changes in relations between the two countries.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga plans to visit Poland following the Verkhovna Rada’s adoption of the law on the National Pantheon. According to journalists, during his visit to Warsaw, Sibiga is expected to present a compromise proposal regarding the future of Ukraine’s National Pantheon.
The proposal involves including General Marko Bezruchko of the Army of the Ukrainian People’s Republic in the pantheon. He is considered a historical figure of particular significance not only for Ukraine but also for Poland. During the Polish-Soviet War, Marko Bezruchko fought alongside the Polish army. In 1920, he took part in the march on Kyiv and later led the defense of the Polish city of Zamość against the advance of Bolshevik troops.
That is why his name is well known in Poland. A park in Warsaw’s Wola district and a traffic circle in Wrocław are named in the general’s honor. However, as the publication notes, Polish political and diplomatic circles are approaching this initiative with caution. Sources interviewed by journalists note that even if such a proposal is made, it does not in itself guarantee an improvement in Ukrainian-Polish relations.
According to them, Warsaw fears that other historical figures who are a source of controversy between the two countries may be proposed for inclusion in the National Pantheon in the future. In diplomatic circles, the proposal regarding Mark Bezruchko is described as “desirable,” but they emphasize that it must be backed by further concrete steps.
The Office of the President of Ukraine has already responded to the Polish publication’s report. Presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn stated that the idea itself deserves consideration. “Bezruchko is a good idea,” he said. At the same time, Lytvyn emphasized that final decisions regarding the National Pantheon will not be made unilaterally.
According to him, under the new law, a special collegial body will be established to review all nominations. Afterward, each name will be put to a separate vote in the Verkhovna Rada, where decisions will be made by a majority vote.
Thus, the issue of including Mark Bezruchko in the National Pantheon currently remains at the proposal stage, and a final decision has yet to be made by Ukrainian lawmakers. This was reported by the Polish publication WP.
During his visit to Tokyo, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga met with Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, Ryosei Akazawa.
