A political controversy has emerged in Poland due to comments from Chargé d’Affaires Piotr Łukasiewicz during the Volhynia Massacre commemorations in Ukraine. His remarks recognized the suffering of both Polish victims of Ukrainian violence and Ukrainian victims of the Polish state, leading to criticism from members of the public and political figures alike.
Poland’s Foreign Minister, Radosław Sikorski, stood by Łukasiewicz, providing a defense of his statements in the face of public scrutiny. Deputy Minister Andrzej Szeptycki also expressed support for the diplomat, while taking issue with President Karol Nawrocki’s views on historical relations with national minorities during the Second Polish Republic.
Szeptycki contended that historical policies towards minorities should not be considered “normal,” referring to events such as the Pacification of Eastern Galicia and discrimination against minority communities. His comments sparked backlash from opposition lawmakers, who accused him of minimizing the historical violence inflicted on Polish communities.
This debate has intensified existing tensions in Poland concerning the interpretation of historical events, particularly the legacy of the Volhynia Massacre and the broader context of Polish-Ukrainian relations. It underscores the ongoing challenges in reconciling different historical narratives within the country.