On 9 July, the city of Ivano-Frankivsk hosted the second session of a nationwide round table on Ukrainian-Polish relations, gathering leading Ukrainian historians, co-chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Olexandr Mischenko and Rector of Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University Ihor Tsependa, which was also attended by representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance.
This event is a continuation of the first session of the round table held on 20 June at the MFA of Ukraine, chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha, and aims to initiate a regular dialogue with academic circles focusing on Ukrainian-Polish relations.
“Relations between Ukraine and Poland remain essential for both our countries due to our common interests, as well as the challenges and threats posed by Russia's armed aggression. We are sincerely grateful to Poland for its resolute and unwavering position on providing comprehensive assistance to our сountry since the first days of Russia's full-scale invasion. To preserve unity in defending our freedom from our common enemy – Russia, we strive to constructively resolve all issues in bilateral relations. Our joint duty with Polish friends is to prevent the aggressor state, Russia, from exploiting our certain historical issues and driving a wedge between our friendly peoples and allied countries,” Olexandr Mischenko emphasised.
The meeting was another step towards deepening responsible historical dialogue with the Republic of Poland and part of efforts to broaden discussions with Polish partners. In this context, the parties noted the importance of resuming the activities of the Ukrainian-Polish Forum of Historians and the Partnership Forum as efficient platforms.
The participants of the round table supported the need for research, mutual understanding and a respectful attitude towards the historical memory of the Ukrainian and Polish peoples based on objective historical facts. Given the existence of thorough research and findings, the parties agreed to focus on preparing for publishing a fundamental historical edition dedicated to the tragic pages of the shared history of Ukraine and Poland and supported by archival materials.
During the discussion, the participants emphasised the need for a more in-depth study, together with Polish experts, of the crimes committed at that time and the involvement of the NKVD units of the USSR in them. Ukrainian historians requested assistance in involving them in scientific and professional events organised by Polish academic circles and institutions.
The participants agreed to hold another session of the nationwide round table in early August in Lutsk.
In the context of the politicisation of historical heritage issues, the participants of the meeting called on our Polish partners including politicians, scientists, diplomats, and representatives of civil society not to allow our common enemy, Russia, to weaken support for Ukraine, which is fighting Russian aggression in the name of freedom and independence of both our countries in the difficult circumstances of bloody war.