Poland was once a staunch ally of Ukraine. But president Zelensky’s decision to name a unit of the Ukrainian Special Forces after the “Heroes of the UPA” appears to have shattered the relationship for ever. Help may be at hand, though: in the form of the humble British historian.
Others want Poland to go further: there are calls to close the border with Ukraine
While Polish and Ukrainian politicians have their own agendas and aren’t trusted by the other side, some British historians have near-mythological status in eastern Europe. Eastern Europeans often feel neglected by Westerners, who unduly spend most of their time poring over the histories of Germany and France, so when a Westerner does write about Eastern Europe, they are immediately admitted into the good graces of whoever they write about. Historians like Roger Moorhouse and Norman Davies are much better known to the east of the Oder than they are in Britain. If they could speak out or call for calm, Ukrainians – and Poles – would listen. And there is a chance that these two former allies could patch things up.
For now, though, the fallout from Zelensky’s decision in May continues.
Poland has stripped Ukraine’s leader of the Polish Order of the White Eagle, the highest honour which can be awarded to a non-Pole. Others want Poland to go further: there are calls to close the border with Ukraine, for all funds and loans for Ukraine to be blocked and residency rights for all Ukrainians currently in Poland to be revoked. In Ukraine, just about every senior Ukrainian who has ever been granted a Polish decoration has now handed it in, with no hint of remorse.
