TEC: Poland could hinder Ukraine’s EU accession

Poland could potentially obstruct Ukraine’s path to European Union membership amid deteriorating relations between the two countries, according to an article published in The European Conservative (TEC) on June 3.

The piece argues that if Poland’s government adopts a more confrontational stance toward Ukraine, Warsaw could complicate Kyiv’s EU accession efforts.

“Ukraine’s bid to begin formal European Union accession negotiations appears closer than at any point in recent years after Hungary signalled it may soon lift its veto. However, a growing diplomatic dispute between Kyiv and Warsaw has raised the prospect that Poland could emerge as a new obstacle on Ukraine’s path towards membership,” the article states.

The renewed tensions between Warsaw and Kyiv followed a decree signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarding the Separate Northern Special Operations Centre the honorary title “Named after the Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA),” in recognition of its exemplary performance in combat missions.

While many Ukrainians regard the UPA as a symbol of resistance against Soviet rule, in Poland, the organisation is linked to the Volhynia massacres, in which more than 100,000 Polish civilians were killed during World War II.

The decision triggered widespread outrage across Poland’s political spectrum. Polish President Karol Nawrocki has initiated steps to revoke Ukraine’s highest state honour previously awarded to Zelenskyy, while politicians from both the government and opposition have condemned what they describe as the glorification of those responsible for genocide.

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry stressed that Kyiv had no intention of offending the Polish people. It added that, for Ukraine, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army represents resistance to Moscow’s imperial policies and occupation.

By Jeyhun Aghazada