More than 24 Polish and Ukrainian civil society organizations have signed a joint open letter calling for dialogue amid historic grievances between the countries, which have already affected the current agenda, UkrInform reports. The letter addressed to the authorities of both countries calls for "responsibility, constructive dialogue, and mutual respect."
The Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) is a contested figure in Polish-Ukrainian historical memory. Ukrainian historiography presents UPA as anti-Soviet and anti-Nazi independence fighters. Polish historiography emphasizes UPA's association with the 1943-44 Volhynia massacres.
Letter argues divisions weaken European security
The letter argues that "any divisions, misunderstandings, and mutual accusations between our peoples play into Russia's hands," positioning civil society as a counterweight to escalating tensions at the government level between Warsaw and Kyiv.
It notes that Polish and Ukrainian civil society have, since the start of Russia's full-scale war, organized humanitarian aid, refugee reception, and support for war-affected families, children, students, veterans, and the families of fallen soldiers.
"We do not allow divisions to win where solidarity has won. Together we were strong. Together we are strong. Together we can be even stronger," the letter says.
The signatories include Fundacja "Tarcza dla Ukrainy," Fundacja "Solidarność bez Granic," the Komitet Obrony Demokracji (KOD), Fundacja Otwarty Dialog, Ciepło z Polski, Sestry.EU, Ukraine SOS, the Maidan Monitoring Information Center, and 17 other foundations and civic initiatives.
The letter remains open to additional signatories from foundations, NGOs, academic communities, youth organizations, local self-government, and public figures in both countries.
Civil society pushback joins parallel media appeal and Ukrainian polling
The civil society letter sits alongside a parallel joint appeal from Polish and Ukrainian media outlets published the same week. On 23 June 2026, editorial boards from Gazeta Wyborcza, Pisma, Espreso, ZN.UA, and the Association of Independent Regional Publishers of Ukraine (ANRVU) co-signed a joint statement urging both societies to resist political escalation, per European Pravda.
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