Ukraine celebrates its 35th anniversary of independency on 24 August 2026, and according to Radio Maryja simultaneously maintains state honors for the leaders of the CNS and UPA. For Poland this means a simple dispute: aid to Ukraine against Russia must not close its mouth on Volyn and historical truth.
Anniversary Under the Shadow of History
Ukraine has the right to celebrate its exit from the russian yoke. On August 24, 1991, the ultimate Council of Ukraine SRR adopted a declaration of independence, and today's war with Russia gives this date an even greater burden. No 1 honest should underestimate that.
But Polish state reason is not to pretend that past ceased to exist. According to Radio Maryja, in the background of Ukrainian celebrations, the issue of state honouring the leaders of the CNS and UPA returns. This is not a insignificant dispute over symbols. This question about the foundation of the memory of the state, which Poland supports politically, militarily and humanitarianly.
Polish aid does not delete Volyn
Poland has helped Ukraine in a way that cannot be brought into gestures since the beginning of Russian aggression. We took in refugees, donated equipment, opened transport routes, charged social and political costs. It was a decision dictated by the safety of our region. Russian imperialism is simply a real threat to Poland.
That is why the substance of historical memory must be put on the hard track. A state that expects solidarity from Poland cannot simultaneously build an authoritative cult around formations liable for anti-Polish violence. For families of victims of the Volyn massacre, this is not an academic subject. It's graves, frequently inactive without full commemoration, and a wound passed through generations.
In DN we already wrote that Polish memory of Volyn cannot service Moscowbut it cannot be silenced in the name of current diplomacy. That's 2 different things. The Kremlin cynically uses Polish-Ukrainian disputes, but the answer to Russian propaganda is not silence. The answer is truth, documents, exhumations and simple respect for victims.
Kiev must realize the Polish border
Ukrainian memory policy has been trying for years to combine the communicative of the fight against Moscow with bringing to the pedestal figures specified as Stepan Bandera and the CNS-UPA environment. For any Ukrainian elites it stands for independency narrative. For Poles it is an emergency signal. There's no real reconciliation without naming a crime by name.
Therefore, all subsequent celebration, all plaque, all state honor for people of this tradition will return in the relations between Warsaw and Kiev. That's how national memory works. It cannot be disarmed by a communication on a strategical partnership.
In fresh weeks, DN has besides highlighted Ukrainian Pantheon Act and the work of Polish reaction. This is the same problem: where knowing ends for the war-mobilization of the nation, and where acceptance begins for the falsification of history. Poland cannot let the border to be moved quietly.
Realism alternatively of Sentiment
The West announces further forms of military support for Ukraine. According to the source, this besides accompanied an anniversary celebration. It is in Polish interest that Russia should not win this war. It is besides in the Polish interest that Ukraine understands that partnership with Poland is not a blank check.
National realism is not about rusophilia or naive Ukrainian philanthropic enthusiasm. It's about keeping 2 truths at once. Russia must be stopped due to the fact that its imperialism threatens Poland. Kiev must be reminded of Volyn, due to the fact that Polish memory is not an addition to another people's politics.
If Ukraine wants a permanent place in the household of Central European countries, it must choose an honest, uncomfortable memory. Poland can be an ally. However, it will not be a country that will renounce its own dead for peace of mind.
Source: Radio Maryja
Source: Radio Maryja
