Radosław Sikorski and Andrij Sybiha on exhumations: there are no obstacles

On Tuesday, the heads of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs met in Warsaw Ukraine – Radosław Sikorski and Andriy Sybiha. The topic of the meeting was Polish-Ukrainian relations as well as transatlantic policy.

After the talks, both ministers appeared at a joint press conference. – I would like to emphasize our position. Ukraine must regain its territories within internationally recognized borders. In the event of starting talks on ending the war, which in our opinion is not likely at the moment, considering the increasingly brutal attacks Russiaevery solution prepared must be approved by our Ukrainian friends. Poland will support them in this, Sikorski declared. The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that any solution regarding Ukraine will have direct consequences for Poland's security. – We know from Poland's history that the powers have tried to reach an agreement over the heads of the countries concerned. They have not brought anything good in the past, he noted.

Sikorski also quoted the ministers' statement after the meeting. – Ukraine confirms that there are no obstacles to Polish state institutions and private entities conducting search and exhumation work on the territory of Ukraine in cooperation with the relevant Ukrainian institutions, in accordance with Ukrainian legislation, and declares its readiness to positively consider applications in these matters, he said.

Andriy Sybiha also said that Ukrainians and Poles are interested in ensuring that there are no misunderstandings between us. – Every family has the right to honor the memory of their ancestors – emphasized the head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

– Currently, as part of a joint Ukrainian-Polish working group under the aegis of the ministries of culture of Poland and Ukraine, we are working on practical mechanisms for conducting search and exhumation works – he said.

The Polish side has been demanding for years that the Ukrainian authorities unblock the ban on searching and exhuming Polish victims of the Volhynia crime.

The Prime Minister commented on the matter Donald Tusk on the X platform (formerly Twitter). “Our ministers are starting to work on specifics. I hope that this time there will be no obstacles,” we read. The Prime Minister assessed that the possibility of exhumation is the key “to the full reconciliation of our nations, so needed at this dramatic moment in our common history.”

“We have always made it clear: there will be no accession of Ukraine to the EU if the matter of exhumation, dignified burial and commemoration of the genocide in Volhynia is not implemented,” wrote the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, leader PSL Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. “I believe it will finally happen,” he added. According to the minister, “only on truth” can Poland build “good” relations with Ukraine.

Sikorski, referring to the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the press conference, stated that Ukraine's membership in the European Union is in the strategic interest of our country. The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also assured that the Polish authorities will use the period of the upcoming Polish presidency of the EU Council to speed up this process as much as possible. – As much as the EU's methodology allows – he noted.

He also noted that negotiations on Ukraine's EU membership will be complicated. – They will concern sensitive issues such as transport and agriculture. But I want to clearly emphasize that no issues unrelated to membership in the European Union will influence our position, Sikorski assured. He also noted that the discussion with Sybiha in Warsaw will also cover, among others, how “Poland can provide expert support to Ukraine in the accession process.” – As the Presidency, we will not only strive to keep Ukraine high on the EU agenda, but we will also mobilize our partners to impose additional sanctions on the Russian Federation, including the so-called shadow fleet, i.e. a fleet of tankers that Russia uses to bypass sanctions, the chief announced Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Sybiha said that “Russia can only be forced into peace.” According to him, for this to happen, Ukraine's partners must take a number of decisive steps. – It is necessary to increase military support for Ukraine and strengthen the air shield. It is necessary to tighten sanctions against Russia, especially its shadow fleet and metallurgical industry, said the minister.

– We expect the 15th package of European Union sanctions during the Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union – said the head of Ukrainian diplomacy. He added that it is unacceptable when European countries issue hundreds of thousands of Schengen visas to Russian citizens every year. – Russian citizens in Europe are a threat to the security of member states and we are convinced that it is time to limit the issuance of visas – he said.

Sybiha emphasized his gratitude to Poland for its support. As examples, he mentioned “the ambitious security agreement that Ukraine and Poland signed this year” and the formation of the Ukrainian Legion in Poland. However, he also talked about the expected support in the form of shooting down Russian missiles over Ukraine, emphasizing that Russia attacks cities, infrastructure and civilians in his country every day. – We need immediate, bold decisions – he emphasized.

The minister added that Kiev counts on the support of the Polish Presidency “for an efficient and quick negotiation process between Ukraine and the European Union.”