The reaction follows previous tensions sparked by Zelenskyy’s 27 May decision to confer the honorary title “named after UPA Heroes” on the Separate Center of Special Operations “Pivnich” of Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces.
The Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) is a contested figure in Polish-Ukrainian historical memory. Ukrainian historiography presents them as anti-Soviet and anti-Nazi independence fighters. Polish historiography emphasizes UPA’s association with the 1943-44 Volhynia massacres.
Pantheon fuels concerns
The controversy comes as Poland debates the political and economic consequences of Ukraine’s future accession to the EU, with agriculture remaining one of the most sensitive issues in bilateral relations.
An anonymous senior Polish government official said Kyiv was ultimately damaging its own interests by fueling disputes with Poland.
“The prime minister has concerns, particularly regarding the impact of Ukrainian agriculture on our market, so there can be no ambiguity here. But Ukraine must also remember that by escalating the dispute with Poland, it is harming itself,” the official said.
Agriculture shapes debate
The comments reflect growing concerns in Poland over Ukraine’s role as both an important export market for Polish goods and a potential competitor within the EU single market, per Top Agrar Poland.
Earlier, Polish MEP Elżbieta Łukacijewska said Ukraine’s eventual EU membership should not threaten Polish farmers, while supporting the continuation of restrictions on Ukrainian grain imports into Poland.
The latest tensions also follow calls by Jarosław Kaczyński, leader of Poland’s opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, for Warsaw to block further rounds of Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations, according to Rzeczpospolita.
“No one will ever dictate to us which heroes to honor”
On 27 June, Zelenskyy submitted a bill to Ukraine’s parliament proposing the creation of the Ukrainian National Pantheon to honor prominent Ukrainians.
“No one will ever dictate to us how to live, how to speak, whom to love, whom to be grateful to, or which heroes to honor,” Zelenskyy said.
According to Polish officials, Warsaw had been informed about Ukraine’s plans to establish the pantheon but was nevertheless surprised by the timing of the initiative.
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