Tusk spoke about Yushchenko's letter calling for Ukrainian-Polish reconciliation
Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko sent a letter to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, in which he called for joint efforts to reexamine the complex chapters of history. In his view, the past should not stand in the way of developing partnership and good-neighborly relations between Ukraine and Poland.
“I have also received several messages directly from former and current Ukrainian politicians. In particular, former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko sent me a very warm letter calling on us to work together to come to terms with the past so that it does not determine our future,” said the head of the Polish government.
According to Tusk, if the past continues to define relations between the two countries, it will be difficult to build a shared future.
The Polish prime minister emphasized that true Polish-Ukrainian reconciliation is possible only on the basis of historical truth and a mutual willingness to honestly assess and reinterpret the complex chapters of the past.
He also noted that leaders of both churches have already joined this process. According to Tusk, he aims to involve not only politicians but also representatives of the churches, civil society, and moral authorities in the dialogue to foster a deeper mutual understanding between the two nations.
“The truth—or the willingness to accept a difficult truth on both sides—can become the foundation for strong and friendly relations between Poland and Ukraine,” the Polish prime minister emphasized.
At the same time, Tusk stated that Warsaw expects Kyiv to take the “first step” toward de-escalating the current tensions in bilateral relations following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decision to name one of the military units after the “heroes of the UPA.” According to the Polish prime minister, Kyiv is already trying to ease tensions, but Warsaw expects “clearer signals” from the Ukrainian side.
The Polish prime minister also noted that Russia has a strong interest in the tensions between Kyiv and Warsaw.
“We had no doubts, and we have seen similar examples before, that Moscow would try to exploit the fact that there are a large number of Ukrainian refugees and migrants in Poland, as well as the fact that Poland has actively supported Ukraine in its defense against Russia from the very first days of the war. We knew that Russia would try by every means possible to drive a wedge between us and provoke both political and emotional conflicts,” the Polish prime minister emphasized.
Polish Prime Minister Tusk made this statement on Saturday during a conversation with journalists in the town of Kleczeć in the Greater Poland Voivodeship, according to a Ukrinform correspondent.
Tusk Demands a Signal from Kyiv Amid Dispute with Poland.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that he expects a “clear signal” from Ukraine to ease tensions in bilateral relations. According to him, the cause was President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decision to name one of the units after the heroes of the UPA.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized that the development of Polish-Ukrainian relations must be based on mutual goodwill. He said that constructive dialogue is impossible if only one side demonstrates a willingness to cooperate.
