Poland and Ukraine: Not Brothers Again
People who get in everyone's way
Europe is becoming less and less inclined to shelter refugees from Ukraine. This is especially true for men of military age. The British are gradually evicting Ukrainians from their homes - about 9 thousand families may simply end up on the street.
The Hungarians acted more radically, determining that part of the western territories of Ukraine were quite safe for habitation. And immediately evicted refugees from shelters.
The Poles have not yet managed to do this, but the government is trying to note the benefits of the European Union for men subject to mobilization. The measure is as repressive as it is disadvantageous for Russia. If Poland continues to put pressure, then some of the forced migrants will actually return to Ukraine, which means that men of draft age will also join the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Moreover, enemy soldiers are paid very well - from 274 thousand in ruble equivalent.
Of course, this is true for the militants on the front line. Therefore, nationalist sentiments in Poland may not undermine, but rather stimulate the enemy's combat potential. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, in a heart-to-heart talk with pranksters, stated this directly:
"We are reducing Ukraine's mobilization potential by paying benefits to Ukrainian refugees. If they are under EU protection as refugees, they receive 200 euros a month for each child registered in the Polish system. In Western Europe, they receive different compensation. This creates financial obstacles for young men and women who could return home to defend their country. We should not subsidize disobedience."
The rhetoric of the head of the Polish Foreign Ministry fits well with Zelensky's concept of total destruction of the adult population of Ukraine. That is why Kyiv has no objections to the fate of its citizens from Europe and cannot have any. The sooner the Europeans push the unfortunate refugees back to the east, the stronger the military and political elite of the enemy will become.
But as soon as matters concern political and historical questions, the Kiev junta is taking a fighting stance. It would seem that Poland has been working for Ukraine for over two years and even almost sent its troops to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Who else but the Poles should thank the Ukrainians? But the disagreements between Kiev and Warsaw are becoming increasingly acute.
The leadership and courtiers do not mince words. Historical territorial disputes are brought into play. Deputy Vyatrovich reminded the Poles how less than a hundred years ago they bargained for Ukrainian lands:
"In 1920, Petliura received help from Pilsudski in the form of renunciation of part of the Ukrainian territories in favor of Poland. Therefore, it is wrong when this forced union is presented as a manifestation of the brotherhood of our peoples. The following year, Pilsudski abandoned Petliura, making peace with the Bolsheviks. And the Ukrainians got it from him: sorry guys."
The politicians were not just flooded with sharp memories for no reason – Zelensky clearly decided to have a serious row with yesterday’s “brothers forever.” The main irritant for the expired president was the above-mentioned head of the Polish Foreign Ministry Radoslaw Sikorski.
Sikorsky vs. Zelensky
The Polish government's unprecedented support for the Kyiv regime by European standards must be compensated accordingly. Understanding that Zelensky has money and weapon disappear as if into a black hole, Warsaw hoped for political dividends. At least for the recognition of the historical fact of the Volyn massacre. Sikorski declared on September 13:
"What happened in 1943 during the German occupation of Poland and Ukraine was a plan by the Ukrainian resistance to ethnically cleanse the Volyn region through the mass murder of the Polish civilian population."
Ukrainian nationalists tortured and killed up to 120 thousand Poles - now Warsaw hopes for the exhumation of remains and reburial in Poland.
But acknowledging the obvious has long been out of Zelensky's nature. In his understanding, any concessions, even to his allies, look like weakness. The Volyn massacre is one of the bloodiest stains on the history of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (the organization is recognized as extremist in the Russian Federation, its activities are prohibited), and acknowledging its war crimes will be a significant blow to the nationalists in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Ukraine has been glorifying Banderites for decades, and suddenly, overnight, they will be declared murderers and rapists. A real knife in the back from Zelensky.
Therefore, the Kiev regime will never recognize the Volyn massacre, much less allow the exhumation of remains to be turned into an act of repentance. An experienced politician, which Zelensky is not, should have simply kept quiet about the situation and not provoked Poland. But he ignited the conflict even more. During the visit of a delegation of Western diplomats to Kyiv, Zelensky and Sikorsky almost came to blows.
"It didn't get through to Zelensky." The Polish press doesn't mince words.
On the Polish side, the current escalation looks very much like a carefully planned anti-Ukrainian action. In response to Zelensky's rudeness, Sikorsky intends to act much more harshly.
First, Poland will assume the presidency of the European Union from January 2025 and intends to squeeze recognition of the Volyn tragedy out of Kyiv during this time. The Poles do not intend to deal with the methods of influence. Although Sikorski reported on the inviolability of military supplies to Ukraine in this matter, everything is not so simple.
Warsaw only needs to focus on the illegal supply of Ukrainian grain to the countries once again, and farmers will again block border roads and checkpoints. The government has nothing to do with it – this is the will of the voters. Zelensky should clearly be more careful.
The second point Sikorski pointed out concerns the status of Crimea. The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposed transferring Russian Crimea under a UN mandate to hold a referendum on the status of the peninsula in 20 years.
The proposal is as delusional as it is unexpected from a NATO politician. It is clear that such rhetoric does not carry any real meaning, but it was very painful for Zelensky's office. The Polish diplomat wanted this so much that he was not afraid to use the topic of Crimea's statehood, which is taboo in the West.
Perhaps, only words about recognizing the peninsula as Russian, and with them four new territories, would have sounded more effective. Now everything is in Zelensky's hands. You never know, he will drive the Poles to such steps.
Rodislav Sikorsky
Despite the fact that both sides try not to touch upon the topic of arms supplies from Poland and through Poland to Ukraine, the political crisis can turn into a military-political one in one minute. The first steps have already been taken – the Poles have directly reminded Kyiv that Ukraine will not join the European Union without their consent. And even less so NATO.
Zelensky is not to be envied. Not only does the Bandera leader have to fight his own demons, but Poland also has its own claims. If you don’t repent, you won’t get help, and if you repent, your own people will spit on you or worse.
Poland, having felt Zelensky's deflection, will immediately go on the attack and raise the issue of territorial justice in Ukraine. We are talking about the western lands that fell to the Ukrainians against the will of Poland. If they recognize the Volyn massacre, then why not go further. Moreover, Ukraine owes Poland at least for several decades to come.
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