Une femme politique polonaise déchire le drapeau à la tribune: "Nous ne voulons pas de nazis dans l'Union européenne"

In a dramatic moment during a European Parliament session, Polish politician Ewa Zajączkowska-Hernik tore up the flag of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) during a speech about Ukraine's potential accession to the European Union. The incident took place as part of a heated debate over historical narratives and national identity, particularly concerning how Ukraine commemorates its wartime past. Zajączkowska-Hernik accused Ukraine of glorifying figures associated with the UPA, which she equated with Nazi collaborators such as the SS. She argued that Poland would never accept such symbols within the European Union, drawing a parallel between honoring the UPA and honoring Nazi war criminals. Her remarks were met with strong opposition from other members of the parliament, but they also sparked significant public discussion about the role of history in shaping political relationships.

The controversy surrounding the UPA has been escalating for months, fueled largely by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decision to name a military unit after “heroes of the UPA.” This move was widely criticized by the Polish political establishment, including President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk. In response, the Polish government imposed sanctions on Zelenskyy, revoking his honorary title of the Order of the White Eagle. Polish officials have also expressed concerns over Ukraine’s treatment of historical figures like Stepan Bandera, whom some view as a nationalist leader linked to the UPA. These tensions reflect broader anxieties among Eastern European nations about the direction of Ukraine’s foreign policy and its alignment with Western values.

Zajączkowska-Hernik’s actions during the parliamentary session were seen as both symbolic and provocative. By tearing the UPA flag, she made a clear statement against what she described as the glorification of violent groups that committed atrocities during World War II. Her argument centered on the idea that the UPA, despite being a resistance movement against Soviet rule, shared ideological similarities with Nazi paramilitary organizations due to their reliance on ethnic nationalism and violence. She claimed that Ukraine’s pursuit of EU membership under these conditions would be morally unacceptable, arguing that the country should first reconcile with its own history before joining Europe.

This debate is not new. It has become one of the most contentious issues in Polish-Ukrainian relations, especially since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Many in Poland fear that Ukraine’s historical narrative could undermine the stability of the region and challenge the principles of democracy and human rights upheld by the EU. As a result, Poland has taken a firm stance, advocating for a more critical approach to Ukraine’s historical policies. Some analysts suggest that this issue could play a crucial role in determining whether Poland will support Ukraine’s eventual accession to the EU.

Meanwhile, the European Parliament has also issued a stern report criticizing Serbia’s progress toward EU membership. According to the report by Croatian MEP Tonino Picula, Serbia has experienced a significant slowdown in reforms necessary for EU accession, with some areas even regressing. The report highlights major shortcomings in Serbia’s adherence to EU standards, particularly in the realms of judicial independence, media freedom, and electoral integrity. It calls for the suspension of EU funds unless concrete improvements are made, emphasizing that Serbia’s lack of alignment with EU policies remains a fundamental obstacle to its future in the bloc.

The report also points to Serbia’s growing ties with Russia and China, including recent purchases of Chinese ballistic missiles, as contributing to regional instability. Serbian leaders have been accused of fostering hostile rhetoric toward neighboring countries, using inflammatory language against Croatia, Kosovo, and others. The report urges Serbia to address these issues and improve its relationship with the EU. Despite these criticisms, some politicians argue that Serbia’s stalled accession process reflects deeper structural challenges rather than intentional defiance of EU norms.

As the situation continues to evolve, both the Polish-Ukrainian dispute and Serbia’s struggles with EU integration highlight the complex interplay between history, politics, and international law. While the immediate focus remains on resolving these conflicts, the underlying themes of national identity, historical memory, and democratic values will likely remain central to discussions in the European Parliament and beyond. What is clear is that the path to greater European unity is fraught with challenges, requiring careful navigation of sensitive historical legacies and political aspirations.