Ukraine’s Commemoration of World War II Fighters Strains Relations with Poland

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine recently signed a decree that has stirred tensions with neighboring Poland. This decision recognized World War II-era figures, a move that reignited historical disputes between the two countries.

On June 21, 2026, Poland’s President Karol Nawrocki announced his intention to revoke the highest state award previously given to President Zelensky. In response, Zelensky declared he would return it. This conflict emerged from Zelensky’s decree signed on May 26, which honored Ukrainian nationalist fighters associated with the Ukrainian Partisan Army.

These fighters are remembered in Ukraine for their resistance against the Soviet Union. However, they are also blamed by Poles for the deaths of tens of thousands of Polish civilians during events referred to in Poland as the Volhynia Genocide, occurring in 1943.

The historical discord threatens a significant alliance in Eastern Europe against Russian expansion, critical to NATO’s strategy. Poland serves as a major logistical pathway for American and European military aid to Ukraine, facilitating the movement of weapons and ammunition. This relationship is vital for Ukraine’s defense.

The contention revolves around the Ukrainian Partisan Army, known as U.P.A., whose activities during World War II and its aftermath continue to be contentious. The U.P.A.’s decades-long struggle in the western regions of Ukraine remains a central historical disagreement.

Tensions eased somewhat after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, as both nations prioritized mutual cooperation against Moscow. However, Zelensky’s recent decree has revived old grievances and affected diplomatic relations.