zawadzki
11-10-2017, 09:34 AM
Polish-Ukrainian relations are getting worse because of irreconcilable historical contradictions. Recent changes in Ukrainian values and finding new national heroes have resulted in another round of scandals and low-scale conflicts between two countries.
Thus, extensive glorification of leaders of Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), as well as, such commanders of Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) as Stepan Bandera, Roman Shukhevych and their brothers-in-arms has taken place in Ukraine since 2014. Monuments are being built in their honor; streets are named after them. And this arouses indignation of Polish citizens whose forbearers have suffered from atrocities committed by these warlords during Volhynian massacre.
Poland has responded by preparing the imposition of sanctions against those Ukrainian citizens who actively promote the policy of glorification of OUN-UPA militants. Together with the International Institute for Holocaust Studies (Yad Vashem, Israel) and with the help of the former head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, Polish Institute of National Remembrance has prepared a list of Ukrainians covered by future sanctions.
69641
Poland's indignation at glorification of Ukrainian nationalist leaders has moved beyond spontaneous people's protests and become more formalized. Polish authorities have taken the issue with all seriousness and responsibility, enlisting the assistance of experts in history, as well as, Ukrainian politicians, who are actually familiar with activities and views of their colleagues.
Obviously, the Ukrainian establishment won't be able to counter the Polish-Israeli initiative with anything but uncorroborated allegations of rewriting history. And unfortunately, it may significantly delay the process of Ukraine's integration into the European community.
Thus, extensive glorification of leaders of Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), as well as, such commanders of Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) as Stepan Bandera, Roman Shukhevych and their brothers-in-arms has taken place in Ukraine since 2014. Monuments are being built in their honor; streets are named after them. And this arouses indignation of Polish citizens whose forbearers have suffered from atrocities committed by these warlords during Volhynian massacre.
Poland has responded by preparing the imposition of sanctions against those Ukrainian citizens who actively promote the policy of glorification of OUN-UPA militants. Together with the International Institute for Holocaust Studies (Yad Vashem, Israel) and with the help of the former head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, Polish Institute of National Remembrance has prepared a list of Ukrainians covered by future sanctions.
69641
Poland's indignation at glorification of Ukrainian nationalist leaders has moved beyond spontaneous people's protests and become more formalized. Polish authorities have taken the issue with all seriousness and responsibility, enlisting the assistance of experts in history, as well as, Ukrainian politicians, who are actually familiar with activities and views of their colleagues.
Obviously, the Ukrainian establishment won't be able to counter the Polish-Israeli initiative with anything but uncorroborated allegations of rewriting history. And unfortunately, it may significantly delay the process of Ukraine's integration into the European community.