Tusk Welcomes Zelensky’s 5-Point Plan as Poland-Ukraine Tensions Ease

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk welcomed President Volodymyr Zelensky’s latest remarks on Warsaw-Kyiv relations, signaling a mutual readiness to repair diplomatic ties following weeks of heightened friction over historical grievances.

“We are ready for a serious and friendly dialogue on the issues that unite us and those that divide us today,” Tusk wrote on X.

Tusk’s response followed a high-level meeting chaired by Zelensky on Friday devoted to bilateral relations. The president emphasized that “all of us in Europe need good-neighborly, equal, and mutually beneficial relations built on respect,” while expressing gratitude for Poland’s extensive military, political and logistical support since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.

Zelensky also stressed that defending Ukraine’s independence directly contributes to Poland’s security.

To bridge the diplomatic gap, Zelensky outlined a five-point roadmap aimed at addressing sensitive historical disputes and improving bilateral ties:

Diplomatic action: Implement targeted measures through diplomatic channels to address immediate points of friction between Kyiv and Warsaw.

Archival transparency: Open records held by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Foreign Intelligence Service related to the tragic 20th-century events in Volyn.

Exhumation permits: Grant a substantial number of permits for search and exhumation work while expanding cooperation with Polish specialists.

Other Topics of Interest

Ukraine Marks 12 Years Since MH17 Downing, An Act of Russian Terror

Zelensky honored the 298 victims of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 and called for justice and accountability for Russia’s crimes.

Societal dialogue: Introduce new formats to broaden direct communication, historical engagement and cultural dialogue between Ukrainian and Polish societies.

Institutional expansion: Strengthen the funding and operational capacity of the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance to more effectively represent and defend Ukraine’s historical perspective.

Bilateral relations deteriorated significantly in May following Zelensky’s decision to award a Ukrainian military unit the honorary title “Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army” (UPA). The move drew criticism in Poland due to historical disagreements over the UPA’s role in the World War II-era tragedy involving Polish civilians in Volhynia.

The latest exchange suggests that both governments are actively seeking to de-escalate the dispute and preserve close strategic cooperation as Ukraine continues to defend itself against Russian aggression.