Former Polish President Warns Against Radicalization of Polish-Ukrainian Ties, Says Zelenskyy Made a Mistake
Aleksander Kwaśniewski, former Polish president, criticized President Zelenskyy for naming military units after UPA heroes and urged both sides to avoid letting radicals dominate the relationship, which could lead to a catastrophe.
In an interview ahead of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk, former Polish President Aleksander Kwaśniewski expressed concern over escalating tensions between Poland and Ukraine. He attributed much of the responsibility to Kyiv, stating that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a mistake by naming military units after the Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). Kwaśniewski warned that if radicals from both sides take over the mainstream of bilateral relations, it could be the beginning of a catastrophe.
He noted that current Polish President Karol Nawrocki is using the conflict with Ukraine as an electoral tool. Nawrocki, a radical figure according to Kwaśniewski, aims to form a coalition of right-wing parties and potentially create a more presidential system in Poland. Kwaśniewski fears that Ukraine will become a topic in the upcoming 2027 elections, with parties like Konfederacja escalating tensions.
Despite the friction, Kwaśniewski remains optimistic about Ukraine's EU membership. He stressed the need for effective negotiations and preparation on both sides. However, he acknowledged that NATO membership for Ukraine is unrealistic as long as Donald Trump is US president.
Kwaśniewski also pointed to psychological factors behind growing anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland, such as irritation over incidents involving Ukrainian individuals, but insisted that most Poles are not truly anti-Ukrainian. He recalled a meeting with Queen Elizabeth II to illustrate that isolated cases should not define overall attitudes.
The former president emphasized that time can heal the relationship if both sides avoid escalation. He noted that Poland's democratic forces should counter radical narratives by highlighting the positive economic impact of Ukrainians in Poland.
Kwaśniewski's comments come at a time when Polish-Ukrainian relations have become strained, partly due to historical disputes over the Volyn tragedy. He called for continued dialogue and warned against offering the relationship to radicals.
