Mateusz Ludwiniak

I am not surprised that Ukraine is trying to stop the European Parliament from adopting a resolution condemning the glorification of ukrainian perpetrators of mass atrocities, genocide, and the Holocaust. Kyiv has been forced to spend diplomatic time, political capital, and public resources defending President Zelenskyy’s decision - whether born of administrative negligence or poor political judgment - to name a military unit after the “Heroes of the UPA,” an organization responsible for planned mass atrocities against both Poles and Jews. Instead of focusing on strengthening international support for Ukraine’s defence, Ukrainian diplomacy is now defending the President’s credibility. And it is losing this battle. Writing is on the wall. The political arithmetic in the European Parliament is obvious. The resolution is being promoted by the EPP - the political family of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. It is also likely to receive strong backing from Socialists, for whom condemning any relativisation of the Holocaust and collaboration with Nazi Germany is a matter of principle. Nationalist parties will support it for their own reasons. And many otherwise neutral MEPs may see this as a low-cost opportunity to express their frustration with what they perceive as Ukrainian arrogance and an assumption that European support can simply be taken for granted. The episode also illustrates a broader truth about EU enlargement. Accession negotiations are not negotiations between equals. The candidate country must adapt to the European Union - not the other way around. That is why every candidate needs friendly member states willing to invest their own political capital in advocating enlargement. Poland played exactly that role for Ukraine from the moment it joined the EU in 2004. But President Zelenskyy appears to have concluded that Poland’s support was no longer needed and would always be there regardless of Kyiv’s actions. Fair enough. But that was a serious strategic miscalculation which will cost Ukraine dearly. If the European Parliament adopts this resolution tomorrow, it will be more than a statement on historical memory. It will be a blow to Zelensky’s credibility as leader capable to bring Ukraine to the EU, it would make Ukraine’s path to the EU harder and will also demonstrate the political cost of allowing relations with one of Ukraine’s most important advocates inside the European Union to deteriorate.

Poland has its own national interests. It should support Ukraine as much as it reasonably can, as long as Ukraine is defending itself against Russian aggression. If we have the capability to reduce the number of Ukrainian civilians killed by Russian missile attacks, then we should do so. At the same time, we also have to acknowledge that Ukraine has not always welcomed Polish assistance and has sometimes treated it with reluctance or even disdain. There is no point in taking that personally. Poland should simply focus on its own interests and stop trying to push political, military, or economic support where it is neither wanted nor appreciated. And if Ukraine finds other countries willing to champion its EU accession, that’s perfectly fine. It would free Polish diplomats from spending time and political capital advocating for what has always been a very difficult case. If Ukraine’s path to EU membership were straightforward, it would have joined the European Union long ago - as Poland did.

“In Afghanistan, I lost my warriors. Says: “White Eagle 6” 🦅 “President Trump’s remarks describing allied troops as “staying behind” are not political rhetoric but a direct insult to soldiers who operated under fire.” - Gen. Rajmund Andrzejczak “White Eagle 6” 🦅 He commanded the Polish military contingent in Afghanistan, completing two combat rotations in Ghazni Province in 2010 and 2011. A recipient of the Military Cross (Krzyż Wojskowy), Poland’s highest decoration for combat service, he later served as Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces (Chief of Defence) from 2018 to 2023. Gen. Andrzejczak addresses the U.S. president’s words while honoring the Polish and allied soldiers who fell during the Afghan mission. “Such language reflects a fundamental failure of respect for allied service, shared sacrifice, and the realities of the battlefield.” @WhiteHouse @StateDept @DeptofWar @GroundZeroPL youtu.be/cITPfr4uRsE?si=G8gY…