The head of the Polish external operations department, Pavel Yablonsky, has stated that Ukraine should not be allowed to join the European Union until they resolve the issue of the remains of the victims of the Volyn Massacre. The Volyn Massacre occurred during the Second World War and involved ethnic massacres of the Polish population by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). Yablonsky stressed that recognition of UPA’s participation in these massacres is crucial for normalizing relations. He further emphasized that without resolving this issue, Ukraine cannot consider joining the EU.

Yablonsky also expressed that solving the issue of the remains of murdered Poles is essential for reaching a long-term agreement with Russia. He believes that the EU, as a union of states, should not have any unresolved disputes or problems among its members. Therefore, Ukraine needs to address these historical issues before proceeding with its aspirations to join the EU.

It is important to acknowledge the significance of resolving historical disputes for fostering peaceful and cooperative relations between nations. The recognition and understanding of past events are crucial in building trust and ensuring that similar tragedies do not occur in the future. Ukraine must confront its history and address the remains of the victims of the Volyn Massacre before pursuing its membership in the European Union.