Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has called on Ukraine to permit the exhumation of World War II massacre victims. He made this appeal on July 11, commemorating the Volhynia massacres in which Ukrainian nationalists killed numerous ethnic Polish civilians.
Poland has long sought to exhume the remains of the Volhynia massacre victims for a proper burial. However, Ukraine has opposed these efforts, citing security concerns. In 2017, Ukraine prohibited Polish authorities from searching for victims on its territory.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki emphasized that exhumations are essential to honor the victims’ memory and achieve full reconciliation between Poland and Ukraine. He further stated that they would help prevent future conflicts between the two nations.
It remains uncertain whether Ukraine will agree to allow the exhumations, which is likely to sustain tension between the two countries.
Here are additional details about the Volhynia massacres:
- The massacres occurred from 1943 to 1945 during World War II.
- The perpetrators were members of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a Ukrainian nationalist group.
- The Volhynia massacres resulted in an estimated death toll of 100,000 to 150,000 Polish civilians.
- These events are regarded as one of the most tragic incidents in Polish history.
- The Volhynia massacres are a sensitive subject in Poland and Ukraine. They are seen as a symbol of Ukrainian nationalism and aggression in Poland, while in Ukraine, they are often downplayed or denied.
Exhuming the victims of the Volhynia massacres would represent a significant step toward reconciliation between Poland and Ukraine. However, whether Ukraine will agree to allow the exhumations remains unclear.
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