– We had different periods in our general history. But today we are there, and now we have the strongest relations in history, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with four Polish editorials. He was also asked if he can personally guarantee that the exhumation of the victims of the massacre in Volhynia will begin.
The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskiy gave an interview to four Polish editorials: TVN24, Onet, “Rzeczpospolita” and “Krytyka Polityczna”. The leader of Ukraine talked about the current situation on the front and, in particular, answered the question whether the war could end this year.
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Zelensky: The relations between Poland and Ukraine are the strongest in history
In particular, Zelensky spoke about the current state of relations between Poland and Ukraine and issues related to historical events. He was asked whether he could guarantee that the exhumation of the victims of the Volyn massacre would begin this spring. – We had different historical issues, different periods in our common history. But today we are there, and now we have the strongest relations in history, because they are trying with such tests, said the president of Ukraine.
– We have very strong union relations and I don’t want to lose them. And the cause (of their corruption – ed.) can be anything. You know how it is during the war, when people suffer such losses, they don’t have a home, someone lost their husband, someone lost their child, someone lost their home. These are strong relationships, these are very sensitive feelings. And this is about very sensitive issues, he continued.
Zelensky: Polish-Ukrainian relations are the strongest in historyTVN24
– See how people on social media take everything so seriously. I’m not talking about whether it’s fair or not. I’m just saying that people are more sensitive. They react violently and this can have very dangerous consequences, he continued.
– Of course, Ukrainians protect the interests of Ukraine, Poles protect the Poles, but remember that we also have Ukrainian and Polish interests, and these interests are very important, – he emphasized.
– Today, our Ministry of Culture started working on the issue of history and respect for history. They make plans, they have deadlines, they have planned the relevant measures. They see all the details and are aware of them. We had a meeting with the Prime Minister and the President, and it is very important that both sides say that they see progress, said the President of Ukraine.
Zelensky: The Ministry of Culture of Ukraine received my permission
Zelensky was also asked if he can personally guarantee that the exhumation of the victims of the Volyn massacre will actually begin.
– The Ministry of Culture received permission from me and I said that both I and Prime Minister Tusk support them. We support them and help them in all these processes and monitor their results from time to time, – he answered.
Zelensky: The Ministry of Culture of Ukraine has received permission from meTVN24
Vladimir Zelensky’s visit to Warsaw
During his visit to Warsaw on Wednesday, Zelensky first met with Prime Minister Donald Tusk. After the conversation, Zelensky and Tusk spoke at a joint conference.
Prime Minister Tusk assured that the Polish and Ukrainian sides “will find common language and methods of action on the issue of the Volyn crime” and the sensitive issues of our history. According to the prime minister, what deserves to be called a “breakthrough” is that our countries understand each other on this issue and “talk in a normal language”.
In the afternoon, Zelensky met with President Andrzej Duda. After this meeting, the next press conference was held. President Duda also said that they discussed issues related to history and exhumation.
Later, a meeting was held here with the mayor of Warsaw, Rafal Trzaskowski. “I accepted the thanks of the president and the title of savior of the city on behalf of all Warsaw residents,” said Trzaskowski.
The long debate about exhumation
Poland and Ukraine have been separated for years by memories of the role of the Ukrainian Nationalist Organization and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, which committed a genocidal purge of 100,000 Polish men, women and children in 1943-45. While for the Polish side it was a reprehensible crime of genocide (mass and organized), for the Ukrainians it was the result of a symmetrical armed conflict for which both sides were equally responsible. In addition, Ukrainians want to perceive OUN and UPA only as anti-Soviet organizations (due to post-war resistance to the USSR) and not as anti-Polish organizations.
