European Parliament Criticises Zelensky for Naming Military Unit After Group that Massacred Poles in WWII
Lawmakers said the move undermines neighbourly relations and recalled Poland’s support for Ukraine as the resolution passed by 460 votes to 136.
- On Wednesday, The European Parliament approved an amendment criticizing Volodymyr Zelenskyy for renaming an elite military unit after the World War II-era Ukrainian Insurgent Army , sparking a diplomatic dispute with Poland.
- While the UPA is commemorated in Ukraine for opposing Soviet rule, the group is associated in Poland with the 1943–45 Volyn massacre, during which tens of thousands of Poles died under Nazi occupation.
- MEPs stated the decision "undermines neighbourly relations" and is "not in line with European values," while Polish President Karol Nawrocki stripped Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle, Poland's highest state honor.
- The diplomatic dispute affected the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk, where Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko replaced Zelenskyy, as 60% of Polish citizens now oppose Ukraine's EU membership bid.
- Despite the amendment, Parliament reiterated support for Ukraine's EU accession, as Zelenskyy recently urged both nations to address "difficulties in our history" and live "in the future than in the past" to unite against Russia.
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On Wednesday, the European Parliament rejected the decision of the Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski to appoint a military unit after the name of a group that massacred Polish citizens in the Second World War, a decision that strained relations between Ukraine and Poland, reports DPA and Agerpres. In a resolution adopted by the European Parliament by 460 votes to 136, ...
EU Parliament backs Poland in Nazi collaborators row with Ukraine
Vladimir Zelensky’s decision to name a military unit after a group that killed thousands of ethnic Poles in WWII is “not in line with European values,” lawmakers say The European Parliament has rebuked Kiev over its decision to rename an elite military unit after World War II-era Nazi collaborators, a move that has fueled a...
The European Parliament supported the further movement of Ukraine to the EU, but in the resolution separately mentioned the controversy surrounding the awarding of the honorary title “Heroes of UPA” to the SSU unit. The document calls for de-escalation and preservation of good neighborly relations between Ukraine and Poland. 08 July 2026
European Parliament criticises Zelensky for naming military unit after group that massacred Poles in WWII
Keep our news free from ads and paywalls by making a donation to support our work! Notes from Poland is run by a small editorial team and is published by an independent, non-profit foundation that is funded through donations from our readers. We cannot do what we do without your support. The European Parliament (EP) has criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for naming a military unit after a group that massacred Poles during World Wa…
On Wednesday, the European Parliament adopted a resolution welcoming Ukraine's progress towards EU membership, while expressing regret at a controversial decision by Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski to call a military unit after a controversial World War II formation, writes TVPWorld.
The European Parliament (EP) adopted a resolution on Wednesday praising Ukraine's progress towards membership in the European Union (EU), but also expressing regret over President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision to name a military unit after a controversial World War II-era military group.
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