Poland condemns Ukrainian region for honouring figures associated with WWII massacres of Poles

Poland has condemned the Lviv region's decision to declare 2027 as the year honoring the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) and its leader, Roman Shukhevych, due to their historical role in the massacre of Poles during WWII. The Polish foreign ministry criticized the move as contrary to European values and detrimental to Polish-Ukrainian reconciliation efforts. Polish officials, including Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, have taken steps to blacklist local leaders promoting this commemoration. The Institute of National Remembrance in Poland labeled Shukhevych as an architect of genocide, while also acknowledging the complexities surrounding other figures being honored. Despite tensions, there have been recent diplomatic efforts to address historical grievances between the two nations.