Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree on May 26, 2026, naming a special operations unit "Heroes of the UPA," after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) [1]. The UPA fought against Nazi and Soviet forces during World War II but is also linked to the Volhynia massacres from 1943 to 1945, in which Poland estimates around 100,000 Poles were killed [2, 1].

Poland strongly objected to the naming of the army unit after the UPA, citing the historical wounds the group’s legacy has caused [2, 1]. Polish President Karol Nawrocki announced plans to discuss stripping Zelenskyy of Poland’s highest honor, the Order of the White Eagle, over the decree [2, 1].

In response, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called for dialogue between Ukraine and Poland on June 3 to defuse the tensions [2, 1]. Sybiha expressed gratitude to Poland for its leadership in supporting Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing invasion and emphasized a desire to discuss difficult topics with openness and mutual understanding. He said, "The escalation of tensions between Ukraine and Poland benefits neither Ukrainians nor Poles. We are committed to discussing all issues, including the most difficult ones, in a spirit of mutual understanding and openness" [2].

Sybiha explained that the unit’s name was chosen by soldiers who wanted to honor those who fought against "imperial Moscow, Bolshevik-communist occupation and repression," adding, "I know for certain that our military had absolutely no anti-Polish intent" [2, 1]. He urged both countries to ease emotions and focus on their shared threat from Russia. He also called for continued professional historical dialogue through exhumations, reburials, and historians’ meetings [2, 1].

Sybiha said, "It must not be undermined or fuel a spiral of hatred. All the more so in a situation where, over all of us—Ukrainians, Poles, and other Europeans—the threat from our age-old enemy, Russia, looms once again" [1].

The next scheduled step is diplomacy to cool tensions as Ukrainian and Polish officials seek to maintain cooperation amid the complex legacy of wartime history and the ongoing conflict with Russia.