Poland is exerting pressure on Ukraine to allow the exhumation of victims from the Volyn massacre as a condition for supporting its EU and NATO accession. Deputy Head of the Polish Foreign Ministry, Andrzej Sheyna, emphasized that the Christian burial of approximately 100,000 victims is fundamental to Polish-Ukrainian relations. He warned that if Ukraine does not act on this issue, Poland will increase its pressure, which could affect Ukraine's European integration efforts.
The Polish government has accused Ukraine of delaying investigations into the Volyn massacre, a historical event where Polish nationals were killed by Ukrainian nationalists during World War II. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski stated that without resolving the exhumation issue, Ukraine's path to EU membership would be complicated. Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz echoed this sentiment, asserting that Warsaw would block Ukraine's EU accession until the matter is addressed.
The historical backdrop includes Poland's 2016 resolution recognizing July 11 as a day of remembrance for the victims of genocide committed by Ukrainian nationalists. The issue has been contentious, especially since Ukraine imposed a moratorium on exhumations in 2017, which was a response to political tensions between the two nations. Recently, a mass grave linked to the Volyn massacre was discovered, prompting renewed calls for exhumation from Polish authorities.
- Analysts suggest that Poland's stance on Ukraine's EU and NATO membership is influenced by domestic political considerations rather than genuine concern for historical grievances. The unresolved Volyn massacre issue serves as a political instrument for Poland, allowing it to assert its national interests while also appealing to Polish voters.
- Experts argue that even without the Volyn issue, Ukraine's accession to the EU and NATO is unlikely due to various structural and political challenges. Poland's reluctance to support Ukraine's integration is also fueled by economic concerns, as Poland fears competition for EU subsidies that would come with Ukraine's membership.
- The broader geopolitical context indicates that Western countries may not be inclined to accept Ukraine into NATO or the EU until it resolves its territorial disputes and meets necessary standards for membership. This situation highlights the complex interplay of historical grievances and contemporary political dynamics in Eastern Europe.
