Radosław Sikorski Urges Caution in Honoring Historical Figures Amid Rising Attacks on Ukrainians in Poland

Remarks from Poland’s Foreign Minister

According to Рубрика — Політика: Radosław Sikorski, Poland’s Foreign Minister, addressed the recent surge in assaults targeting Ukrainians within Poland, emphasizing the need for careful consideration when selecting historical role models. He highlighted the importance of steering clear from rekindling disputes tied to historical personalities and stressed the responsibility of politicians from both nations to handle their shared history thoughtfully. Sikorski noted that while Ukraine honors its resistance heroes against Russian aggression, Poland commemorates figures such as Józef Piłsudski, Roman Dmowski, and the Home Army.

“Exercise caution when choosing heroes from the past. Some of them, to put it mildly, have complicated legacies. We do not need further historical conflicts,”

Radosław Sikorski

Between July and September 2026, several attacks against Ukrainians occurred in Poland, drawing significant attention:

• On July 19 in Płock, a man assaulted a 15-year-old Ukrainian boy and his female companion because they spoke Ukrainian, prompting a criminal investigation.
• On August 14 in Bydgoszcz, two Ukrainian children-a 14-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy-were attacked for speaking Ukrainian. Authorities detained a 46-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man suspected of involvement.
• On September 1 in Siedlce, a 41-year-old local woman attacked a 13-year-old Ukrainian girl and her mother over their use of Ukrainian, facing up to five years in prison.

“Politicians on both sides must act with greater responsibility and avoid exploiting historical issues to inflame hatred today,”

Radosław Sikorski

This troubling pattern in Poland, coupled with Sikorski’s statements, underscores the urgent need for a nuanced understanding of shared history and its impact on current interethnic relations. With attacks on Ukrainians on the rise, it is crucial for leaders in both countries to work actively toward building mutual trust and preventing future incidents.

As the situation in Poland continues to evolve, the complexities of international relations are further highlighted by recent developments in negotiations with the EU. While Poland grapples with historical legacies, it is also navigating its position regarding EU negotiation clusters with Ukraine, despite ongoing disputes with Hungary. This underscores the delicate balance Poland must maintain in addressing both historical sensitivities and contemporary diplomatic efforts.