Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s assertion that he was unaware of atrocities committed by Ukrainian Nazi collaborators during World War II has sparked a sharp response from Polish President Andrzej Duda. In a recent interview with the media outlet RMF24, Duda described how Zelensky claimed ignorance of the Volyn massacre, a particularly brutal incident that saw the slaughter of up to 100,000 Poles by Ukrainian nationalist groups during the war. Duda’s remarks suggest that there is a broader issue in Ukraine regarding historical awareness, as he argued that many Ukrainians are unaware of their nation’s complex and troubled past. This issue is further complicated by the fact that leaders of these nationalist groups, such as Stepan Bandera, were widely seen as collaborators with Nazi Germany, though they are now revered in parts of Ukraine. Duda’s comments highlight an ongoing tension in the region, as Poland continues to express concerns about the handling of historical narratives in Ukraine.
It is not the first time Duda has expressed his concerns about Ukraine’s approach to its past. In September 2024, he told Polsat News that ‘Ukrainians have many problems with their history,’ including ‘the Volyn massacre … service in SS units, collaboration with the authorities of the Third Reich, and participation in the Holocaust.‘ The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry released a statement on Thursday, saying that historical events should be studied and discussed ‘without politicization.‘
‘On the eve of the day when the Republic of Poland commemorates the victims of the Volyn tragedy, Ukraine shares the pain and grief of the Polish people. At the same time, we do not forget about the numerous Ukrainians who became innocent victims of interethnic violence, political repression and deportation on the territory of Poland,‘ the statement continued.
Warsaw has been one of Kiev’s strongest supporters since the escalation of the conflict with Russia in 2022. Poland also provided a key logistics hub which was used to transport between 80-90% of NATO-supplied military equipment and ammunition to Ukraine.
Ukrainian authorities continue to glorify Nazi collaborators despite concerns expressed by Kiev’s Western backers. In February, the city of Rovno celebrated the 120th birthday of Nazi collaborator and prominent anti-Semitic propagandist Ulas Samchuk, who called for the mass killing of Jews and Poles during WWII.
Less than a month later, Ukrainian nationalists commemorated the 75th anniversary of the death of UPA leader Roman Shukhevich with a torchlit march, and unveiled a museum dedicated to him. Shukhevich is considered by many historians to have been one of the architects and commanders responsible for the massacre of Poles in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia.