Polish-Ukrainian reconciliation turned to be very fragile
«Rzeczpospolita» returns to the Polish-Ukrainian relations, commenting on the statements of former presidents of Ukraine, which were heard in Kyiv. It is reported by Upmp.news with reference to Polish Radio.
Rzeczpospolita continues the topic of Polish-Ukrainian relations in the context of the conference held last Friday in Kyiv, devoted to cooperation between the countries of the Baltic-Black Sea region.
The meeting participants were former leaders of Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Latvia and Belarus. Former Polish Presidents have failed to come.
The Kiev conference confirmed that the most serious crisis continues between Ukraine and Poland in recent years, – the publication emphasizes. When asked by a journalist about ways to exit the current crisis in relations, former presidents responded with a focus on history.
Leonid Kravchuk, in the presence of all Ukrainian media, replied that the Polish settlers treated his parents as livestock. Instead, Viktor Yushchenko stated that UPA and AK had the same goals.
Comenting on this, Jerzy Hashchynsky stresses that the Polish-Ukrainian reconciliation was very fragile. Even the presidents of Ukraine, who played a significant role in politics at a time when this reconciliation took place, does not even appreciate the important gestures of Poland.
Gashchinsky, as he writes, understands that it is possible to feel sorry for the current authorities about the law on the Institute of National Remembrance, in which the accusation against Ukrainian nationalists passes all boundaries. However, the criticism on the law, which also has place in Poland should have its limits.
«Rzeczpospolita» hopes that Polish politicians have n intentions to take part in the historic auction with presidents Kravchuk and Yushchenko.
Leonid Kravchuk, in the presence of all Ukrainian media, replied that the Polish settlers treated his parents as livestock. Instead, Viktor Yushchenko stated that UPA and AK had the same goals.
Andrzej Duda:There is no crisis, but misunderstanding in Polish-Jewish relations
(Анджей Дуда: в польсько-єврейських відносинах не криза, а непорозуміння.)
The President of Poland announced plans to finalize and end the controversy with regard to the updated law on the Institute of National Remembrance. It is reported by Upmp.news with reference to Polish Radio.
On Tuesday February 27, the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, visited the Jewish Civic Center in Krakow. With this opportunity, the head of state announced plans to finally find out and bring to the end the controversies concerning an updated law on the Institute of National Remembrance.
Polish President Andrzej Duda reminded of the thousands of Jews present in Poland and stressed that it would be a bad thing if the current problems covered this fact: «I would like to call this a misunderstanding. I do not want to say that this is a crisis, a catastrophe, because, in my opinion, it is not. I believe we have to do everything – and I assure you that as a president I try to do everything to make this case clear and complete.»
On March 1, the amended law on the Institute of National Remembrance, which was signed by the President, came into force in Poland, and at the same time sent to the Constitutional Tribunal (Polish Constitutional Court). This law introduces, in particular, the rules according to which those who «publicly and contrary to the facts» attribute responsibility or co-responsibility to the Polish people or the Polish state for crimes committed by the Third Reich or other crimes against humanity, peace and war crimes, may be punished by a fine or imprisonment up to three years. These innovations became a source of serious concerns, in particular, of Israel and Jewish people.