The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is ready to discuss with Poland the common history, including the Volyn massacre, said the head of the department Andrii Sibiga, quoted by UNIAN.
During the Warsaw Security Forum, Sibiga was asked to comment on Poland's desire to tie Ukraine's membership of the European Union to the resolution of historical issues. He stated that this topic will be discussed within the meetings:
"We have enough political will and diplomatic talent to resolve any, even the most complex issues, including with our closest allies and friends – the Poles. We will discuss this topic today," he said, quoted by Focus.
The Volyn massacre was a mass killing of Poles by Ukrainian nationalists between 1943 and 1945 in the Volyn region, present-day Poland. Casualty estimates vary between 40,000 and 100,000. This tragedy deeply affects Polish-Ukrainian relations and remains a sensitive topic in the history of both nations.
Polish statements in connection with the Volyn tragedy
At the end of July, Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosyniak-Kamis said that Warsaw should issue an ultimatum to Kiev – Ukraine will not become a member of the European Union if it does not solve the Volyn issue.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski emphasized that this issue can only be closed after the exhumation and dignified burial of the victims from Volyn. He noted that Poland only wants respect for its dead.
Let us recall that last year the Polish Sejm adopted a resolution on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Volyn massacre, calling for "recognition of guilt".