Ukrainian flag removed from Lublin city hall in Poland due to Zelenskyy's decision regarding the "UPA unit"
City authorities removed the Ukrainian flag from the city hall building, where it had been hung in 2022 as a sign of solidarity, RBC-Ukraine reports .
Illustrative photo
The reason was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decree awarding the "North" Special Operations Forces unit the honorary title "named after the Heroes of UPA". The decree caused a sharp reaction in Poland — from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to President Nawrocki.
Lublin City Hall issued a statement noting that the city has joined other Polish cities. The city authorities share the critical stance of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Polish Embassy in Kyiv regarding Zelenskyy's decision.
"The glorification of formations responsible for crimes against the civilian population causes pain to the memory of Polish victims and complicates the building of sincere dialogue," the city council noted.
At the same time, Lublin emphasizes that it remains an ally of Ukraine in the struggle for independence and territorial integrity.
"We see no contradiction between defending historical truth and showing solidarity with a people who have become victims of aggression," the statement said.
Among the city residents, opinions regarding the flag's removal were divided. Some support this decision, citing what they consider unacceptable glorification of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, which fought against Polish formations during World War II.
Others consider it inappropriate now, noting that Ukrainians are still fighting on the front lines against Russian troops.
On May 26, Zelenskyy signed a decree awarding the "North" Separate Special Operations Center the honorary title "named after the Heroes of UPA" for exemplary performance of combat missions.
In response, Polish President Karol Nawrocki stated that he is considering the possibility of stripping Zelenskyy of the republic's highest state award.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine responded that Kyiv had no intention of offending the Polish people — for Ukraine, UPA exclusively symbolizes resistance to Moscow's imperial policy.
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Але ні слова пра сапраўдную прычыну, пра якую ўсё пішуць і кажуць у Польшчы, а менавіта пра датычнасць УПА да Валынскай разні.
Пытанне: гэта такая недапрацоўка ці маніпуляцыя?
Затое цяпер менавіта ўкраінцы не даюць карычневай чуме рашызму падыйсці да межаў Польшчы.