Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz warned that Ukraine could face serious obstacles to joining the European Union if Kyiv continues honoring figures linked to the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), including Stepan Bandera, one of its leaders, and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), which emerged from OUN.
Speaking on Polsat News’ flagship program Gość Wydarzeń on Monday evening, Kosiniak-Kamysz said Poland would take a firm position on historical memory as Ukraine pursues EU membership.
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The Polish defense minister said Ukraine would have “significant problems” with European integration if OUN and UPA figures remain national symbols.
“It is impossible in the EU to place on a pedestal those who destroy European cooperation,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said. “With Bandera, Ukraine will not enter the European Union.”
He stressed that Poland would make its own decision on any future EU enlargement vote and would not allow other countries to dictate Warsaw’s position.
“No one will tell us how we should vote on the accession of one state or another to the European Union,” he said.
The warning comes amid renewed friction between Warsaw and Kyiv over historical memory, even as Poland remains one of Ukraine’s most important military and political supporters in Europe.
MiGs-for-drones deal stalls
Kosiniak-Kamysz also confirmed that Poland will not transfer its remaining Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine for now, saying Kyiv has not followed through on a reciprocal agreement to share combat-tested drone technology and operational know-how.
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