“The Radio Liberty correspondent also asked the Polish Prime Minister whether Poland will still have demands on Ukraine regarding historical issues”, — write: www.radiosvoboda.org
A Radio Liberty correspondent asked the Polish Prime Minister when Warsaw will restore the Ukrainian graves on the territory of Poland, which were destroyed by vandals, whether Poland will still have demands on Ukraine so that historical issues do not hinder the future of the two states, to leave them in the past.
“The most important exam for both peoples is to talk about history without emotion and for both peoples to respect their expectations and vulnerability. If a Polish family wants to bury the remains of their ancestors, it is not politics. This is a natural thing. Everyone understands such a human need in Ukraine and Poland. This should be the right of a person to bury his relatives. It depends a lot on me, as well as on my compatriots, that the ability of Ukrainians and Poles to solve difficult historical problems becomes a trademark of both states and peoples, such a sign that we have become much wiser through decades and centuries of living together and apart.” replied Donald Tusk.
According to him, the common task is that “something from history hurts less”, Warsaw and Kyiv are able to “get out of historical loops step by step in an atmosphere of mutual understanding”.
“Those who, in today’s situation, drag out history in order to quarrel and fight among themselves, would go to hell. You know who would be most happy if we started fighting. I’m doing everything so that someone can’t enjoy this occasion. And I dedicate myself a lot so that history does not divide us,” answered Donald Tusk.
At the end of November this year, Ukraine allowed Poland to conduct search and exhumation works on Ukrainian territory. Today, President Zelenskyi emphasized that the ministries of culture of Ukraine and Poland are working on this issue.
“We talked a lot about our history, because history always evokes different emotions. But what is our priority today? The past should not be forgotten, but what is the priority? It is to think about the future and survive. It is only in the unity between Ukraine and Poland that this is possible. The coming year will definitely be difficult for us, not easy for Poland and the whole world. Russia will use every moment to quarrel Ukrainians with Poland. And you can continue to argue, but respecting each other. If Ukraine does not stand up, if we are not united with Poland. If we are not all united in Europe with the whole world, then Russia will win this war and then there will be no one to argue about the past in the future. Let’s win together, and then we’ll remember about other important things,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy added.
In 1994, the governments of Poland and Ukraine concluded a bilateral agreement on the preservation of places of memory and burial of victims of war and political repression. As part of this document, Polish burials were restored in Lviv at the Lychakiv Cemetery (Eagle Cemetery), and the Polish side, accordingly, had to restore the table on Mount Monastyr, near the village of Verkhrata, near the Ukrainian-Polish border.
Poland’s support for the European future of Ukraine depends on solving the issues of the historical past. This was repeatedly stated by Polish politicians and officials, including the Prime Minister. In particular, that without solving the Volyn tragedy, Ukraine’s accession to the EU and NATO will be blocked.