Poland's Actions Show a Relapse into an Occupier Mentality, Says Former Ukrainian Lawmaker Kosiv

Mykhailo Kosiv Comments on the Deteriorating Poland-Ukraine Relations

According to Главком: Mykhailo Kosiv, a 91-year-old former member of the Ukrainian parliament and a dissident, has weighed in on the worsening ties between Poland and Ukraine. This follows Polish President Karol Nawrocki's intention to strip Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of the Order of the White Eagle. The reason for this decision was Zelensky's decision to award one of Ukraine's military units the honorary title 'Named after the Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).'

Kosiv, who served as a people's deputy for five convocations, is the son of Vasyl Kosiv, who led a regional branch of the UPA in 1943. He described the Polish government's response as a relapse into the mindset of an occupying state.

'Poland pursued aggressive, expansionist, and occupation policies toward Ukraine for centuries. In essence, the Ukrainian state, which took shape during the times of Kyivan Rus under Princes Volodymyr the Great and Yaroslav the Wise, was destroyed on one side by the Golden Horde and occupied on the other by the Kingdom of Poland. So what we hear today from Polish authorities is nothing less than a relapse, a historical syndrome of the inherited mentality of an occupying state. Unfortunately, the modern Polish nation has not shed that mentality,' - Kosiv stated.

He also pointed out that his personal library holds a book titled 'The Tragedy of Volyn Villages 1943-1944,' which lists settlements that suffered due to Polish actions.

'Meaning, they were destroyed by Poles. But what's interesting: the book also lists the Poles who died in Volyn. So it was a tragedy on both sides. However, Ukrainians died because they were defending themselves-protecting their freedom, their land, and their right to live. The Poles, on the other hand, were the occupiers,' - he added.

Kosiv further noted that the Vatican at one time strongly warned the Polish crown against aggressive encroachments on eastern lands and urged maintaining friendly relations with Danylo and with Rus-Ukraine. 'Why have modern Poles not heeded the instructions of their ancestors?' Kosiv asked.

For context, President Zelensky's decree granted the honorary designation 'Named after the Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army' to the Special Operations Center 'North' of the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces. The Order of the White Eagle is Poland's highest state decoration. Tensions between Ukraine and Poland escalated in late May 2026, sparking outrage among Ukrainian politicians and the public.

Kosiv's remarks underscore the long-standing historical grievances between Ukraine and Poland that continue to surface in modern political discourse. The worsening of bilateral relations could have serious consequences for cooperation between the two countries, especially amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. This also highlights the enduring role of historical memory in shaping political debates and interstate relations.

The recent remarks by Mykhailo Kosiv highlight the escalating tensions between Poland and Ukraine, particularly in light of Poland's potential decision regarding Zelensky's honors. This situation echoes historical grievances and complex relations that have long characterized Polish-Ukrainian interactions. For a deeper understanding of the implications behind Poland's consideration to revoke Zelensky's award, you can read more about the controversy surrounding the UPA naming and its historical context.