Sybiga Outlined New Steps for Dialogue with Poland
Ukraine has proposed a package of anti-crisis measures to Poland in order to ease tensions in bilateral relations. Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga made this statement after a meeting with his Polish counterpart, Radosław Sikorski, in Warsaw. According to the minister, it is now important to prevent disputes from escalating and to continue the dialogue.
During the meeting in Warsaw, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga presented the Polish side with a set of anti-crisis measures designed to help reduce tensions between the two countries. According to the minister, Ukraine proposes launching regular consultations between the foreign ministries of both countries. Kyiv also advocates holding a new meeting of historians who study the complex chapters of Ukrainian-Polish relations, particularly the events of World War II.
In addition, the Ukrainian side proposed reaching out to religious leaders in Ukraine and Poland, asking them to join the dialogue and use their influence to preserve mutual understanding between the two nations. “We have enough wisdom, lessons from our shared history, and political will to put a stop to the applause in Moscow, which is delighted by the growing tension between our two closest neighbors,” Andriy Sybiga emphasized.
The minister noted that over the past year and a half, the countries have already managed to make significant progress in resolving complex historical issues. “Exhumations have resumed, and the work of the historical congress has continued. Ukraine will continue to issue permits for search and exhumation work,” he said.
Separately, Sibiga commented on a situation that has recently sparked debate in Poland over the name of one of Ukraine’s military units. “I reiterated to Radek that the Ukrainian military’s choice of the unit’s name had no anti-Polish undertones,” said the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.
He also emphasized that Ukraine respects the history of other countries and expects the same respect for its own history. “We respect the history of others and expect our partners to show the same respect for our own history and independence,” the minister noted. During the talks, the parties also discussed the development of economic cooperation. They addressed joint projects involving Ukrainian and Polish companies that could participate in Ukraine’s reconstruction, as well as the outcomes of the Reconstruction Conference held in Gdańsk.
Special attention was given to the situation regarding Ukrainians residing in Poland. Andriy Sybiga thanked the Polish authorities for their swift response to incidents of hate and xenophobia directed at Ukrainian citizens.
After the meeting, the minister thanked his Polish counterpart, Radosław Sikorski, for the frank discussion and emphasized that diplomacy must remain the primary tool for resolving all contentious issues. “It is time to set emotions aside. Ukraine is waging an existential struggle with the support of our allies and partners. History will not forgive us if this opportunity is squandered,” the foreign minister concluded. Sybiga announced this on social media platform X.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized that the development of Polish-Ukrainian relations must be based on mutual goodwill. According to him, constructive dialogue is impossible if only one side demonstrates a willingness to cooperate.
