On October 23, 2026, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated at a press conference during his visit to India that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky does not support the Lviv Regional Council's decision to declare 2027 the Year of the UPA and Roman Shukhevych.
Tusk noted that Zelensky was "very dissatisfied" with the decision made by the deputies. He also mentioned that he spent several hours explaining Poland's position to the Ukrainian president and believes that Zelensky understood it.
Reaction to the Lviv Regional Council's Decision
The Polish Prime Minister characterized the Lviv Regional Council's decision as a "planned provocation" by local nationalists, which he believes harms Ukraine and Polish-Ukrainian relations. Tusk emphasized that:
- Genocide cannot be justified;
- It will be difficult for Ukraine to integrate into the EU if it does not respect Poland's sensitivity regarding historical events;
- The Volhynian tragedy is an important aspect in this context.
Historical Context
It is worth noting that on October 20, the Lviv Regional Council adopted a decision to declare 2027 the Year of the UPA, Roman Shukhevych, and Oleg Olzhych. This decision has sparked mixed reactions in society and on the international stage, particularly from Poland, which has a sensitive attitude towards the history of its relations with Ukraine.