Tusk accuses Russia of sabotaging Polish-Ukrainian relations

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has accused Russia of attempting to destabilise relations between Poland and Ukraine, a strategic effort he says is being led by Vladimir Putin and foreign agents as the war in Ukraine approaches its end.

In a post on the social media platform X, Tusk directly addressed the issue of growing tensions. 

“Anti-Polish gestures by Ukrainians and the incitement of anti-Ukrainian sentiments in Poland are a scenario orchestrated by Putin, foreign agents, and local idiots. Always the same ones,” he stated.

Tusk’s remarks follow a series of incidents that have strained public sentiment. Polish authorities are currently investigating an act of vandalism at a monument to the victims of the Volhynia tragedy, where “Glory to the UPA” (Ukrainian Insurgent Army, an underground Ukrainian nationalist organisation that was created during World War II) was scrawled and a red and black flag was painted. 

Separately, a public scandal recently erupted when a Ukrainian citizen displayed a red and black flag at a concert in Poland.

Despite these tensions, the two countries are also engaged in cooperative efforts. In a significant development, Ukraine, in April, exhumed the remains of Polish citizens who were victims of the Volhynia tragedy in 1945 — the first such exhumation in years. 

Exhumation work also began in August at a former cemetery in Lviv, with Ukraine planning reciprocal exhumations in Poland starting in September.

Poland remains a vital ally to Ukraine, providing ongoing military and political support. The country acts as a key logistics hub through which military aid is funnelled to Ukraine.

By Tamilla Hasanova