In fresh days, there have been more controversy over the character of Stepan Bandera, Ukrainian nationalist and leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (CNS). The dispute was triggered by statements by politicians and journalists who met with a sharp reaction both in Poland and Ukraine. The debate included historical issues, but besides contemporary Polish-Ukrainian relations.
Mentzen and the part Against Bandera Worship
Sławomir Mentzen, a Confederate presidential candidate, along with Euro MP Anna Bryłka, published on social media a movie in which they request the Ukrainian authorities to halt worshiping Stepan Bandera. – We are with Anna Bryłka in Lviv at the statue of Bandera. He is simply a terrorist who was sentenced by the Polish court to death for the murders in Poles in the II Republic. He then founded the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, which is liable for the slaughter in Volyn. This man's people murdered 100,000 Poles," Mentzen said.
She added: "It is as if in Germany the monuments were built to Hitler.
The words of Polish politicians caused a storm among Ukrainians. Mentzen was on the list of "criminals against Ukrainian national security", led by Ukrainian non-governmental organization Myrotowiec. The politician was accused, among others, of "inciting cultural hatred" and "proposing Russian fascism, Nazism and anti-Semitism".
Piasecki compares Bandera to Piłsudski
In the TVN24 programme “Cava on the bench”, writer Konrad Piasecki criticized Mentzen’s actions, comparing Stepan Bandera to Józef Piłsudski. “Slawomir Mentzen walks in Lviv and marks the monuments of Bandera there, saying that Bandera was a terrorist who murdered the Polish Minister of Interior. That was the time. Piłsudski was besides a terrorist who did terrorist attacks on Russian trains and nobody mentioned it to him, on the contrary – that is his glory – Piasecki stated.
Those words have provoked outrage among politicians. PiS MP Zbigniew Bogucki asked: – You compare Piłsudski to Bandera, Mr editor? – and appealed for withdrawal from this statement. – Do you think an equal sign should be put between Bandit Bandera and Piłsudski? The Banders murdered children, women, pregnant women, aged people. Get out of this," said Bogucki.
Volyn genocide: a communicative that divides
The Volyn massacre, or genocide carried out by Ukrainian nationalists on the Polish civilian population from 1943 to 1944, remains 1 of the most painful chapters in the past of Polish-Ukrainian relations. Historians estimation that 50 to 120 1000 Poles died of crimes. Stepan Bandera, as leader of the CNS-B faction, is liable for organizing these murders.
In Ukraine, however, Bandera is considered a national hero, which raises immense controversy in Poland. “Ukraine must end Bandera’s cult as shortly as possible”, stressed Mentzen.
Reactions and consequences
The statements of Polish politicians and journalists met with a sharp reaction of Ukrainian nationalist circles. Mentzen was included on the list of "criminals against Ukrainian national security", which raised further questions about the state of Polish-Ukrainian relations. I asked for a consequence from the abroad Office. And the MFA reacted, but unfortunately Ukrainian. It looks like I won't be seeing it for a long time now – Mentzen wrote on social media.
Summary
The dispute over Stepan Bandera is not only a historical issue but besides an crucial component of modern politics. Comparisons with Józef Piłsudski, accusations of relativization of crimes and reactions of Ukrainian environments show how hard relations between Poland and Ukraine are in the context of the past. It is worth remembering the victims of the genocide in Volyn, but at the same time search ways of knowing between nations.
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"These were the times." TVN24 writer puts Piłsudski on a par with Bandera
