Przemyśl Halts Cooperation with Lviv Temporarily
The city council of Przemyśl has unanimously decided to temporarily suspend its collaboration with Lviv. This move comes as a direct response to Lviv’s declaration of 2027 as the year dedicated to the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), Roman Shukhevych, and Oleh Olzhych—a decision that has sparked significant controversy in Poland. Similar actions are being considered in the Lublin Voivodeship and Kraków, where the newly elected mayor, Łukasz Gibała, has drafted a proposal to end city partnerships.
Background on the Historical Dispute
On October 20, 2026, the Lviv Regional Council officially proclaimed 2027 as the year commemorating the UPA, Roman Shukhevych, and Oleh Olzhych. In Poland, the UPA is held responsible for large-scale massacres of Poles in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia during World War II. The Polish Minister of Defense, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, condemned the decision as unacceptable, while Prime Minister Donald Tusk described it as a self-destructive policy.
Sviatoslav Sheremeta, a deputy of the Lviv Regional Council and the main proponent of this resolution, has been placed on the list of undesirable persons within the Schengen Zone until October 20, 2031, following an initiative by Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has criticized Poland’s response, labeling it as detrimental to Ukrainian-Polish relations.
Furthermore, Donald Tusk stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would not support any further steps to endorse 2027 as the year of the UPA and Roman Shukhevych if the continuation depended on him. This highlights the sensitive and complex nature of Polish-Ukrainian relations, especially concerning historical memory.
“Przemyśl’s decision to halt cooperation with Lviv reflects the growing tension between Ukraine and Poland fueled by historical disagreements.” – Source: Przemyśl City Council
These developments could impact future collaborations between the two cities, which have traditionally maintained close ties. It is important to recognize that actions related to contested historical issues may have far-reaching consequences for diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Poland.
The ongoing tensions surrounding Lviv's declaration have prompted significant reactions from both Ukrainian and Polish officials. For instance, Tusk has indicated that Zelensky opposes the commemoration of the UPA in 2027, which underscores the complexities of the situation and the potential implications for bilateral relations. This backdrop adds further weight to Przemyśl's decision, reflecting a broader regional concern over historical narratives and their impact on contemporary diplomacy.