Polish premier warns that Ukrainian council's UPA tribute aids Russian propaganda

Officials of the Lviv region adopted a resolution proclaiming 2027 the year of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, honoring its leader Roman Shuchevych and OUN figure Oleh Olzhits. Donald Tusk, speaking at a press conference, said he had previously cautioned President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that such symbolic acts are ill-advised and detrimental to Ukrainian interests. He argued the move undermines Ukraine’s EU bid and creates a convenient excuse for anti-EU forces.

Tusk claimed the gesture only serves Russia, which welcomes any action that weakens Ukraine’s allies. He emphasized that the controversy hampers the collaborative work he and Zelenskyy have undertaken to resolve the recent dispute over a military unit named after the UPA. The Polish premier concluded that the episode is a problem for Ukraine, not for Poland.