Zelenskyj po sporu s Polskem: Nikdo nám nebude říkat, jaké hrdiny máme ctít

In a recent address during the celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of Ukraine's constitution, President Volodymyr Zelensky declared that no one would dictate to Ukrainians whom they should honor. This statement came amid growing tensions between Ukraine and Poland over historical narratives and national identity. The declaration was part of a broader initiative aimed at establishing a Ukrainian National Pantheon, which seeks to immortalize individuals who have contributed significantly to the nation’s independence, security, and development.

The proposed law outlines six categories under which individuals could be enshrined in the pantheon. These include presidents, high-ranking military officials, individuals who played a crucial role in securing or restoring Ukraine’s sovereignty, contributors to the country’s development, Nobel Prize laureates, and others deemed worthy of recognition. Conversely, the law also specifies categories that would exclude certain individuals, such as those convicted of crimes against national security and peace.

Zelensky emphasized that the names of all heroes who fought for Ukraine throughout history would be etched into the nation’s memory with great respect and attention. He stressed that Ukraine values its self-respect, its people, and its right to be Ukrainian. “No one will ever tell us how to live, speak, love, be grateful, or which heroes we must honor,” he stated. His remarks were echoed by Kyryl Budanov, head of the presidential administration, who similarly asserted that no one would dictate to Ukrainians which heroes to revere or which holidays to celebrate.

This initiative comes in response to a recent conflict with Poland, where President Andrzej Duda revoked Zelensky’s highest Polish state award, the Order of the White Eagle, due to disputes over Ukraine’s references to nationalist figures. The controversy escalated when Zelensky signed a decree granting a unit of Ukrainian special forces the honorary title "Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA)." The UPA, active during World War II, fought both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union but is also known for brutal actions against civilians in Western Ukraine, including thousands of Poles, Jews, and Czechs from Volhynia.

Zelensky’s decision to name the unit after the UPA sparked significant backlash in Poland, leading to the revocation of his award. In response, Zelensky returned the medal via courier service, initiating a wave of reciprocal returns of honors and medals between the two countries. The tension further affected international events, such as the conference on Ukraine’s recovery in Gdansk, where Zelensky and Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha did not attend, with Prime Minister Yulia Szydło representing Kyiv instead.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski criticized Zelensky’s choice of naming the unit after the UPA, suggesting that the president should have been more mindful of the historical implications. While acknowledging the UPA’s resistance against Soviet occupation, Sikorski pointed out the group’s responsibility for the deaths of many Poles. He also criticized Duda’s decision to revoke Zelensky’s award, calling it disproportionate and personally humiliating for the Ukrainian leader. Sikorski argued that this move unnecessarily closed the door to dialogue with a country fighting Russian aggression.

The current crisis highlights divergent views between Ukraine and Poland regarding the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). In Ukraine, these groups are often seen as symbols of the struggle for independence from the Soviet Union, while in Poland, they are primarily associated with the Volhynian massacres of 1943-1944. Analysts suggest that this dispute has reopened historical wounds that had temporarily been overshadowed by the close alliance formed in response to Russia’s invasion.

Beyond the pantheon initiative, Zelensky announced the creation of a new state honor, the Order of Europe, intended to recognize Ukrainian soldiers and foreign allies who contribute to European security and support Ukraine’s path toward EU integration. This move underscores Ukraine’s commitment to aligning itself more closely with European institutions while asserting its unique historical narrative and national identity. As tensions continue to simmer, the future of bilateral relations between Ukraine and Poland remains uncertain, with both sides navigating complex historical legacies and contemporary geopolitical realities.