Ukraine considers renaming SSO unit following scandal with Poland – media
Kyiv • UNN
During Budanov's visit to Warsaw, a proposal was made to change the name of a Special Operations Forces (SSO) unit. Poland demands concessions in historical policy and the Volyn issue.
During the visit of the head of the President's Office, Kyrylo Budanov, to Poland, representatives of Ukraine proposed changing the name of the SSO unit that was granted the honorary title in honor of the Heroes of the UPA, which caused dissatisfaction in Warsaw. This was reported by Wirtualna Polska, citing its own sources, writes UNN.
Details
According to sources, one of the options being considered is a reference in the SSO unit's name exclusively to those members of the UPA who fought against the Soviet Union. However, the final decision must be made by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the publication notes.
Interlocutors of Wirtualna Polska said that Budanov was received coolly in Poland. Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz did not hide his dissatisfaction with Ukraine's decision to honor UPA soldiers, while Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski intentionally did not change his plans and did not meet with the Ukrainian delegation. Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that he "cannot imagine Ukraine continuing its current historical policy." He also emphasized that "the memory of the victims of Volhynia is not subject to discussion."
The most important moment of the Ukrainian delegation's visit was the meeting with Marcin Przydacz, one of the closest associates of President Karol Nawrocki. As the publication writes, Kyiv is particularly interested in ensuring that the Polish president does not decide to strip Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle. The Ukrainian side is concerned not because of the award itself, but because of the political and symbolic dimension of its revocation, the publication's interlocutors say. In particular, in Kyiv, a possible revocation of the order would be perceived as an insult to the President of Ukraine. Furthermore, the reaction of the Ukrainian public could further deepen the crisis in relations between the two states.
According to the publication's sources, none of the meetings held by the Ukrainian delegation in Warsaw yielded concrete results. The Polish side consistently maintained a tough stance. One of the Polish publication's sources said that Warsaw is "furious with the Ukrainians," stating that Ukrainian politicians lack restraint.
At the same time, Ukraine is also ready to take new steps in the field of historical policy. Among them is an increase in the number of permits for the search and exhumation of victims of the Volhynia tragedy. The Polish side is preparing for further escalation if Kyiv does not take steps that Warsaw considers sufficient.
Recall
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy granted one of the units of the Special Operations Forces of the AFU the name "named after the Heroes of the UPA."
Following this, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that the decision to grant the Ukrainian SSO unit the name "named after the Heroes of the UPA" causes concern regarding bilateral relations and touches upon historical sensitivities, adding that it "unnecessarily brings the issue of historical differences back to a rather alarming level." Meanwhile, Polish President Karol Nawrocki stated that he takes a critical view of the Ukrainian President's decision and believes that Zelenskyy should be stripped of the Polish Order of the White Eagle.