A diplomatic controversy has surfaced in Poland following remarks by Chargé d’Affaires Piotr Łukasiewicz during a memorial event for the Volhynia Massacre in Ukraine. Łukasiewicz’s comments acknowledged the suffering of both Polish victims of Ukrainian actions and Ukrainian victims of Polish state measures, which has ignited criticism from various public and political figures.
Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski has stepped in to defend Łukasiewicz, while Deputy Minister Andrzej Szeptycki also expressed support for the diplomat. Szeptycki took the opportunity to criticize President Karol Nawrocki for his statements regarding historical Polish relations with national minorities during the era of the Second Polish Republic.
Szeptycki’s argument centered on the notion that past policies toward minorities should not be considered “normal.” He referenced historical incidents such as the Pacification of Eastern Galicia and the systemic discrimination against minority groups. This stance, however, has led to backlash from opposition lawmakers who claim that Szeptycki is minimizing the historical violence perpetrated against Polish communities.
The unfolding debate sheds light on the persistent tensions in Poland concerning the interpretation of historical events. Central to this is the legacy of the Volhynia Massacre and the broader context of Polish-Ukrainian relations, which continue to be a contentious topic within the country.