Tuesday, 23 June 2026
Relations between Poland and Ukraine have entered a period of renewed tension following a dispute over historical memory and a separate disagreement regarding military cooperation.
The latest controversy emerged after Ukrainian authorities granted the honorary title “Heroes of the UPA” to a military unit. The designation prompted criticism in Poland, where the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) remains closely associated with the wartime massacres of Polish civilians in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia during World War II.
In response, Polish President Karol Nawrocki announced that he was revoking the Order of the White Eagle previously awarded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky subsequently returned the decoration and suggested that the decision was influenced by domestic political considerations in Poland.
The dispute highlights the continuing sensitivity of historical issues in Polish-Ukrainian relations, despite the close political and military cooperation that has developed since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
At the same time, a separate disagreement has emerged over military cooperation. Poland has paused discussions regarding the transfer of additional MiG-29 fighter aircraft to Ukraine, with Polish officials linking the issue to broader negotiations on defence technology cooperation.
Deputy Defence Minister Cezary Tomczyk confirmed that Warsaw and Kyiv have not yet reached an agreement regarding access to Ukrainian drone-related technologies and expertise. Polish officials have indicated that future military cooperation should include benefits for Poland’s own defence capabilities.
The development reflects an increasingly pragmatic approach to defence cooperation between the two countries. While Poland remains one of Ukraine’s most important military and political supporters within NATO and the European Union, Polish officials have increasingly emphasized the importance of long-term security cooperation and reciprocal benefits.
Since the start of the war, Poland has provided substantial military assistance to Ukraine, including armoured vehicles, artillery systems, aircraft and logistical support. The country has also served as a critical transit hub for Western military aid and humanitarian assistance entering Ukraine.
Despite the recent disagreements, neither Warsaw nor Kyiv has indicated any intention to reduce broader strategic cooperation. Poland continues to support Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and Euro-Atlantic aspirations, while Ukraine remains an important security partner for Poland on NATO’s eastern flank.
Analysts note that the current disputes illustrate the growing complexity of a relationship that has evolved from emergency wartime cooperation into a broader partnership that must also address historical issues, defence-industrial cooperation and long-term national interests on both sides.
While disagreements over historical memory and military cooperation have generated political tensions, both countries continue to share a strategic interest in maintaining close cooperation amid ongoing regional security challenges.
Source: WEI
