Not a ‘matter of survival’: Poland wants to set its own requirements for Ukraine’s accession to the EU
Ukraine’s accession to the European Union is not a “matter of survival”, and Poland has the right to put forward its own conditions for this process. This was stated by the Minister of Defense of Poland, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysh, informs Interia.
As the minister noted, for the Polish side, the issue of the Volyn tragedy is key, which is considered an integral part of a fair approach to Ukraine’s European integration. At the same time, he emphasized that this issue does not concern the provision of military or humanitarian aid, where it is about saving lives. According to him, Poland supports Ukraine in the war with Russia and contributes to its defeat.
“Accession to the EU is not “to be” or “not to be” for Ukraine, it is an opportunity for development, for greater GDP growth, it is their chance. We can set the conditions for such development and, in addition to the conditions set by the EU, we we can set our ethical and historical conditions regarding Volyn”, – emphasized Kosinyak-Kamysh.
The issue of the Volyn tragedy remains relevant in Polish-Ukrainian relations. At the end of July, Kosiniak-Kamysh said that Warsaw can give Kyiv an ultimatum: Ukraine will not be able to become a member of the EU if the “Volyn issue” is not resolved. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Radoslaw Sikorski added that this issue can be closed only after the exhumation and proper burial of the victims of the Volyn tragedy.
Former Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowych criticized the current government’s approach to Ukraine, calling it a “hyena policy” that could weaken Poland in the face of the threat from Russia.
For its part, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, according to its head Andrii Sybiga, is ready for a dialogue with Poland regarding the common history, including issues related to the Volyn tragedy.
