Yesterday at 19:55
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has responded to criticism from Poland over President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s decision to grant the honorary title “Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army” to the Separate Special Operations Center “North” of Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces.
In a statement published on Facebook, Sybiha stressed that the unit’s servicemen chose the name themselves and emphasized that Ukrainian defenders “deserve unconditional respect”, UATV English reports.
“Today, it is they who, at the cost of their health and often their lives, hold the front line and defend all of Europe from the Russian threat. They are paying the highest price for it. I know for certain that our military had absolutely no anti-Polish intentions. For them, it was about honoring those who, many years ago, also fought against imperial Moscow, Bolshevik-communist occupation, and repression,” he said.
Sybiha noted that Ukraine, like Poland, had to fight hard for its independence.
“We are grateful to Poland for its leadership in supporting Ukraine during this terrible war. We seek to discuss all issues, including the most difficult ones, in a spirit of mutual understanding and openness. We call for dialogue and for strengthening our relations in line with the priorities of security and a prosperous future for our states,” the minister added.
He also pointed to the “constructive dialogue” that Ukraine and Poland have built in recent years.
“It must not be undermined or turned into a spiral of hatred. Especially at a time when all of us — Ukrainians, Poles, and other Europeans — once again face a threat from our historic enemy, Russia,” Sybiha stressed.
The foreign minister called for lowering tensions, leaving historical disputes to professional historians, and focusing instead on “countering our common enemy, strengthening European security, and protecting the free future of our nations.”
Earlier, Marcin Przydacz said that Zelenskyy should apologize to Karol Nawrocki over the naming decision. Reports also suggested that Nawrocki may seek to have Zelenskyy stripped of Poland’s highest state award because of the move.
Read also: Sybiha: Ukraine’s NATO membership would strengthen Europe’s security and reduce costs
