Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's decision to name a military unit in Ukraine "Heroes of the UPA" has reignited a historical debate between Poland and Ukraine. Warsaw and Kiev are trying to keep tensions under control to avoid overshadowing the shared future of the two countries.
At the heart of the dispute are differing historical interpretations of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). While many in Ukraine view the UPA as a symbol of the struggle for independence, in Poland the organization is primarily remembered for massacres during World War II in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia, where tens of thousands of Polish civilians were killed.
The tension escalated when Polish President Karol Nawrocki announced in late May that he would consider revoking the Order of the White Eagle, Poland's highest state decoration, awarded to Zelenskiy. However, Nawrocki has not yet made a decision on this matter.
In recent days, both capitals have sent messages aimed at lowering tensions. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he personally intervened and called on both presidents to hold a direct and open discussion to prevent harm to bilateral relations.
The Kiev side also adopted a more conciliatory tone. A spokesperson for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry acknowledged that historical disagreements have sharpened recently but emphasized significant progress over the past 18 months on difficult issues related to their shared past. The spokesperson also highlighted ongoing search and exhumation efforts planned for late 2024.
Ukraine stressed that those seeking to inflame the dispute will always find a reason, reminding that the common adversary of both countries is Russia. This message was one of the clearest attempts to downplay the political dimension of the crisis.
Efforts to ease tensions have not been limited to statements. Over the weekend, Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office, traveled to Warsaw and met with Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, representatives from the Presidential Office, National Security Bureau, and Foreign Ministry.
The timing is also sensitive. Poland and Ukraine are scheduled to co-host the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdansk in two weeks. This event is seen as a key platform to gather political and economic support for Ukraine's reconstruction.
Zelenskiy is also expected to attend the event. Tusk said he has received no indication from Kiev that plans will change.
Belarusian Journalist Poczobut Plans to Return in September
Another development in the report concerns Polish-Belarusian journalist and minority activist Andrzej Poczobut, who announced plans to return to Belarus in September following his release. Speaking in Bialystok, Poczobut said Belarus is his home and that he would not have left the country if he had not received a passport and assurances for his return.
Poczobut emphasized that Grodno is his home and that the Union of Poles, representing the Polish minority in Belarus, is still needed. Sentenced to eight years in prison in 2023 on charges believed to be politically motivated, Poczobut was released in April as part of the first post-war prisoner exchange conducted on Polish soil.
This exchange followed more than two years of negotiations and required coordination among institutions from Poland, the US, Romania, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Belarus. According to Polish media, the process involved extensive cooperation among intelligence and state channels.
Ambassador Appointment Controversy in Slovakia
In Slovakia, President Peter Pellegrini is under pressure to block the appointment of Miroslav Radacovsky as ambassador to Cyprus. The appointment resurfaced at the top of the agenda following a contentious parliamentary session.
Radacovsky was expected to present his credentials on Thursday. However, Pellegrini, who delayed the appointment for months, has yet to signal whether it will proceed or be halted.
The 72-year-old former judge and independent MP was elected on the far-right SNS list. During the parliamentary foreign affairs committee session, he admitted to lacking diplomatic experience and sharply criticized opposition MPs.
During the session, a remark by an MP suggesting someone might leave the room through a window drew criticism. Opposition parties have renewed calls for Pellegrini to block the appointment.
Former NATO ambassador and opposition MP Tomas Valasek described the nomination as one of the worst in Slovak history. If approved by the government, cleared through security checks, and accepted by Cyprus, Radacovsky will leave parliament.
The resulting vacancy is expected to be filled by a politician close to SNS, strengthening the ruling coalition's slim majority. Meanwhile, career diplomat and former deputy prime minister Peter Kmec is also reportedly being considered for a posting in Italy.
Kmec, from the Hlas party, left the government last year amid transparency debates and criticism over a controversial state property purchase. It is not unusual in Slovakia for political figures to be appointed ambassadors; the Smer party has made similar choices in the past.
Slovakia's EU Funds Under Scrutiny
A new report from Slovakia's Supreme Audit Office revealed serious issues in managing European Union funds. Auditors identified over 5,000 rule violations in EU-supported projects between 2004 and 2025.
Since 2004, Slovakia has received approximately 28.8 billion euros in net EU budget funds, equating to about 5,327 euros per capita.
The report indicates the country has struggled to use these resources efficiently. Violations in public procurement, slow administration, and heavy bureaucracy were among the recurring problems.
One highlighted project was an EU-backed initiative worth around 28 million euros to digitize the national land registry. Although planned to offer 45 online services, only a portion were launched on time.
Due to shortcomings in public procurement, some expenditures were not reimbursed by the EU. Nevertheless, the funds contributed to improvements in infrastructure and public services.
Regional disparities remain significant. Eastern Slovakia continues to lag behind more developed parts of the country, with key economic indicators falling below 60% of the EU average.
The audit also revealed that over time EU money has tended to replace rather than complement national investments.
Czech Republic Aims to Increase Defense Budget
Czech Defense Minister Jaromir Zuna has proposed raising next year's defense spending to 190 billion koruna (approximately 7.8 billion euros), aiming to reach 2% of GDP.
This year's defense budget fell short of last year's 154 billion koruna and amounted to only 1.8% of GDP, making the Czech Republic one of the few NATO members below the minimum security commitment.
The disagreement over defense spending continues between the government and President Petr Pavel, a former NATO general, with frequent clashes on the issue.
Zuna stated that Czech soldiers remain ready to contribute to NATO's eastern flank, including missions in Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, and Slovakia.
The minister's remarks followed media reports suggesting plans to reduce the number of Czech troops in the east from 2,000 to 1,600 starting in 2027.
Meanwhile, the ruling coalition has reversed the previous government's education reform, reigniting broader debates about the country's education system.
The earlier reform had proposed mandatory English from first grade and a second foreign language starting in seventh grade.
