Poland could cut arms aid to Ukraine as WWII spat continues

Relations between Poland and Ukraine have been mired in crisis since Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave a military unit the honorary title "Heroes of the UPA."

The initials stand for the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, which was instrumental to the killing of up to 100,000 Polish civilians during World War II. Poland is marking a national day of remembrance for the victims on Saturday.

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, Poland has provided Ukraine with extensive military support, including weapons and equipment. Until recently, military cooperation between the neighboring countries, which both view Russia as an existential threat, had been accepted by all political parties and was largely kept separate from Poland's domestic political disputes.

Lingering 'historical issues'

Poland's far-right opposition is attacking the center-right government over the delivery of Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine. The opposition accuses pro-EU Prime Minister Donald Tusk of putting Poland's own military defense at risk.Polish President Nawrocki says glorifying the UPA is "nonnegotiable"Image: Yauhen Yerchak/SOPA Images/Sipa USA/picture alliance