Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland Vasil Bodnar convinces that calming tensions requires dialogue, and hopes for decisions on subsequent exhumations. Words are needed, but for Poland the measurement of advancement remains consent, field work and burial of victims. Memory cannot be a bargaining chip in current politics.
Dialogue must lead to circumstantial decisions
Vasily Bodnar, Ukrainian ambassador to Poland, appealed for a conversation that is expected to calm the tensions between Warsaw and Kiev. He besides expressed hope for decisions allowing further exploration and exhumation work. It is simply a essential direction, but the Polish public has the right to justice it after results. In the case of victims of the Volyn crime, declarations alone are not enough.
States have set up a working group on historical dialogue. According to the [joint Communication of Ministers of Culture of Poland and Ukraine](https://www.gov.pl/web/culture/conducting-historical dialogue-with-Ukraine-common-communication-minister-culture-Polish-and-Ukraine), the parties listed lists of places requiring exploration, exhumation or additional care. An analysis of proposals and administrative provisions has besides been launched. This procedure only makes sense if it translates into regular permits and professional work in the field.
Family law, state duty
Exhumation is not a motion of goodwill given to Poland. It is the way to identify the murdered, give the families cognition and supply the victims with a burial worthy. It concerns people who have been deprived of even a individual grave for decades. Poland needs patient cooperation with Ukraine, but besides consequences for any delay.
According to [Polish Press Agency](https://www.pap.pl/updates/ambassador-ukrainy-in-polska-pronounces-new-licence-on-search-and-exhumations) Bodnar previously announced fresh permits concerning, among others, Ugieł in Volyn and Huta Pieniacka in the Lviv Oblast. In 2025, exhumation work was carried out in 2 locations in Ukraine. It's proof that it's possible to break a long-term stasis. However, it is not the closure of the case. There is inactive more to be studied and all decision should be timely and continued.
Reciprocity does not mean bargaining with memory
The Ukrainian website submitted its own requests to the Institute of National Memory for conducting search and exhumation in Poland. They should be dealt with legally, reasonably and without political delay. Poland has no reason to fear the fact about victims of any nationality. This attitude strengthens our credibility erstwhile we request free access to Polish burial sites in Ukraine.
However, procedural reciprocity cannot turn memory into a hostage system. Agree to a decent burial is not a coin that is exchanged for another consent. Each country is liable for enabling investigation in its territory. Warsaw should execute its duties and equally powerfully require Kiev to do so.
Poland needs fact and security
Russian aggression makes independent Ukraine an crucial component of Poland's security. This strategical fact does not invalidate the memory dispute. On the contrary, a lasting partnership requires truth, respect and ability to solve the most hard matters without moving silently. The Kremlin uses historical conflicts, but the answer cannot be to close Polish graves under a layer of diplomatic formulas.
The fundamental continuity of the state is at stake for Poles. The Republic must besides appeal for its citizens erstwhile decades have passed since their death. The dialog proposed by Vasil Bodnar deserves serious treatment. More approvals, work agenda and public information on their execution are now needed. Only then will the tension begin to ease the place of trust.
![Irańska huśtawka trwa. [A na niej – błazen Donald].](https://pch24.pl/storage/files/2026/9/11/2e2e0211-abe4-4a9d-899d-391637f4b889/forum-1133244371.jpg?p=article_headline_mobile)
