MEPs dismiss demands for an apology from Kiev regarding WWII massacres
The European Parliament has turned down a proposal urging Ukraine to issue an apology for the massacre of tens of thousands of Poles during World War II. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Estimates suggest that between 40,000 and 100,000 Poles were murdered by Ukrainian Nazi collaborators during World War II, a topic that remains contentious in Ukrainian-Polish relations.
Recently, members of the European Parliament rejected a proposal urging Kiev to apologize for the Volyn massacres, during which Ukrainian nationalists killed tens of thousands of Poles. The proposal was brought forth by the Europe of Sovereign Nations Group, a far-right faction in the legislature, as part of a series of amendments to the resolution titled “Continued financial and military support to Ukraine by EU Member States.”
Hans Neuhoff, representing the far-right Alternative for Germany party, introduced the amendment, which aimed to “recall[ing] the massacres of Poles in Volyn and Eastern Galicia from 1943 to 1945, which were committed by members of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army” and emphasized “Ukraine’s obligation to apologize in full for these atrocities, allow the exhumation of all victims, and prohibit the veneration of the historical personalities responsible for the massacres.”
The amendment was ultimately rejected, receiving 395 votes against, 142 in favor, and 66 abstentions. Other proposed amendments by the ESN, which sought to soften the EU's stance on the conflict in Ukraine and encourage negotiations, also did not pass.
Among those who voted against the proposal were several leftist and centrist Polish MEPs. Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus, who opposed the motion, stated that a resolution focused on supporting Ukraine “is not the time or place” for discussions about historical incidents like the Volyn massacres. MEP Krzysztof Smiszek explained his opposition by claiming the proposal promoted an “anti-Ukrainian agenda” and was backed by “anti-Polish neo-fascists from the AfD, who call [former German] lands in Poland eastern Germany.”
The Volyn massacres have long been a contentious issue affecting Ukrainian-Polish relations. Estimates are that between 40,000 and 100,000 Poles were murdered by the UPA during its collaboration with the Third Reich amid World War II. Poland's parliament has characterized the massacre as a “genocide,” a classification that Kiev has hesitated to accept.
Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to address and de-emphasize these historical grievances, Warsaw, a steadfast ally of Kiev in its struggle against Russia, has stated it opposes Ukraine’s EU accession until this issue is resolved. One of Poland's conditions for potential support includes the exhumation of the victims.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
Recently, members of the European Parliament rejected a proposal urging Kiev to apologize for the Volyn massacres, during which Ukrainian nationalists killed tens of thousands of Poles. The proposal was brought forth by the Europe of Sovereign Nations Group, a far-right faction in the legislature, as part of a series of amendments to the resolution titled “Continued financial and military support to Ukraine by EU Member States.”
Hans Neuhoff, representing the far-right Alternative for Germany party, introduced the amendment, which aimed to “recall[ing] the massacres of Poles in Volyn and Eastern Galicia from 1943 to 1945, which were committed by members of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army” and emphasized “Ukraine’s obligation to apologize in full for these atrocities, allow the exhumation of all victims, and prohibit the veneration of the historical personalities responsible for the massacres.”
The amendment was ultimately rejected, receiving 395 votes against, 142 in favor, and 66 abstentions. Other proposed amendments by the ESN, which sought to soften the EU's stance on the conflict in Ukraine and encourage negotiations, also did not pass.
Among those who voted against the proposal were several leftist and centrist Polish MEPs. Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus, who opposed the motion, stated that a resolution focused on supporting Ukraine “is not the time or place” for discussions about historical incidents like the Volyn massacres. MEP Krzysztof Smiszek explained his opposition by claiming the proposal promoted an “anti-Ukrainian agenda” and was backed by “anti-Polish neo-fascists from the AfD, who call [former German] lands in Poland eastern Germany.”
The Volyn massacres have long been a contentious issue affecting Ukrainian-Polish relations. Estimates are that between 40,000 and 100,000 Poles were murdered by the UPA during its collaboration with the Third Reich amid World War II. Poland's parliament has characterized the massacre as a “genocide,” a classification that Kiev has hesitated to accept.
Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to address and de-emphasize these historical grievances, Warsaw, a steadfast ally of Kiev in its struggle against Russia, has stated it opposes Ukraine’s EU accession until this issue is resolved. One of Poland's conditions for potential support includes the exhumation of the victims.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
