Editor’s note: The Volyn Tragedy, known in Poland as the Volhynia Massacre, is a series of mutual mass killings of thousands of Poles and Ukrainians in 1943. While the killings were mutual, the number of Polish victims was much higher. Poland considers the killings a genocide against the Polish people. The matter is a stumbling block in the Ukrainian-Polish relations. On July 8, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda separately commemorated the anniversary of the tragedy.
Konstantin Voznitsky
lawyer
“I am deeply convinced that this should be a mutual apology, so that, afterwards, both nations would be able to forgive each other for all they’ve done during the war, turn to a fresh page, and start developing together. But, if to be honest, there are more pressing issues in Ukraine right now, like improving economy, rising teachers’ salaries, fighting corruption.”
Ihor Tapakov
athlete
“I don’t think that Ukraine should apologize. This is our history, and we can’t change it. As for today, we shouldn’t focus on this topic, it’d be better to move on and consider it as just a given historical fact. If we start talking about this again, this will only aggravate Ukrainian-Polish relations. We don’t blame the Germans today for the mistakes of their ancestors during the World War II. But, according to this logic, should the whole world hate them?”
Anton Martynos
student
“You can’t just refuse taking responsibility or admitting your guilt when it comes to such events as massacres. Of course, words wouldn’t be enough, our government needs to take more serious measures. It’s not even a matter of public apology to the Polish people, but, I believe, it’s more about signing those diplomatic treaties on cooperation between countries. We’re neighbors after all. We don’t need this enmity.”
Anastasiya Molyboga
student
“Well, if Poland doesn’t ask for any compensations, then why not to recognize the already known fact and show respect to the Polish people? Although even if we had to pay them, it’d be worth doing. It is pointless to deny everything and say that it was a long time ago. I can understand Poland in its offense to the Ukrainians. The main thing is that this discussion should be held carefully, so that it wouldn’t lead to further conflicts.”
accountant
“Modern politicians often speculate on this topic. It’s impossible to say exactly what has happened then. It’s wrong to play on human feelings and manipulate them in favor of politics, especially when talking about such tragedies. Of course, we should recognize it, but it’s better to leave it in the past. I don’t believe that the question of the Volhynia massacre effects the relations between Poland and Ukraine so much. It’s just a distraction for common people. We need to focus on solving modern conflicts.”
Olena Zakharova
geologist
“All bad deeds should be admitted and apologized for. If the government admits the blame, it wouldn’t hurt anyone. It’s an elementary politeness. Of course, there may be some consequences, both good and bad. Politics is pretty unpredictable.”
Tetiana Gunko
copywriter
“Unfortunately, I’m not very well versed in this issue, but world political trends show that someone is always apologizing to someone. If Ukraine is trying to follow these trends and follow Europe, in particular, then it will be a right thing to do to admit its guilt. Of course, our government also has to pay compensations to the Polish people. This will help to embark on the path of a closer cooperation, although, with all the good stuff, emigration to Poland will definitely increase in this case.”
