Nawrocki, Zelensky discuss Kyiv's shift on history disputes
Polish President-elect Karol Nawrocki has spoken by telephone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about addressing historical issues between the two nations and reaffirmed Warsaw’s continued backing for war-torn Ukraine, just days ahead of Nawrocki’s swearing-in.
In a post published on Thursday on the X platform, Nawrocki's spokesperson Rafal Leskiewicz said that it was Zelensky who had initiated the phone call.
"President Zelensky congratulated Karol Nawrocki on winning the presidential elections," Leskiewicz wrote.
During the conversation, Nawrocki raised one of the central themes of his presidential campaign: the Volhynia massacre, a long-standing point of contention in Polish-Ukrainian diplomatic ties. He said he wanted to be "the voice of the nation that calls for changes in Ukraine's stance on important and still unresolved historical issues."
"The President-elect announced that the historical issues will be the topic of further talks with the Ukrainian president," Leskiewicz added.
The move adds to Nawrocki's statement made in early July that the victims of the Volhynia massacre were not crying out for revenge, but for "a memory" for Poles killed during the events which unfolded on the then-Polish territories of Ukraine during the 1940s. At that time, the president-elect also said that he was obliged to "speak with their voice."
Nawrocki also pledged Warsaw's unwavering support for Ukraine, calling Moscow the aggressor and blaming Russia for unleashing the all-out war.
"Russia is a neo-imperialistic and colonial state, ruled by a war criminal, Vladimir Putin. Whilst Ukraine, which is battling with the Kremlin regime, can count on Poland's support," Leskiewicz said.
Shortly after Leskiewicz’s post, Zelensky took to X to comment on the call and announce reciprocal official visits.
"We agreed to exchange visits during which we will discuss all current issues of bilateral cooperation. We will definitely define formats of engagement that will bring real results for both our countries and our people," Zelensky wrote.
In 1943-1945, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) carried out ethnic cleansing of some 100,000 Polish men, women and children in Volhynia, a historic eastern region of Poland which today is part of Ukraine. Poland and Ukraine both recognise the crime, which earned the name 'Volhynia Massacre,' but dispute the motivations behind the killings. While Poland claims the massacre was an act of genocide, Ukraine argues that it was part of a broader conflict for which both sides are responsible.
On August 6, Nawrocki will officially take the oath of office and succeed Andrzej Duda following his decade-long presidency.(PAP)
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