Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz warned that Ukraine could face serious obstacles to joining the European Union if Kyiv continues honoring figures linked to the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, including Stepan Bandera.
Speaking on Polsat News’ flagship program Gość Wydarzeń on Monday evening, Kosiniak-Kamysz said Poland would take a firm position on historical memory as Ukraine pursues EU membership.
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‘With Bandera, Ukraine will not enter the EU’
The Polish defense minister said Ukraine would have “significant problems” with European integration if OUN and UPA figures remain national symbols.
“It is impossible in the EU to place on a pedestal those who destroy European cooperation,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said. “With Bandera, Ukraine will not enter the European Union.”
He stressed that Poland would make its own decision on any future EU enlargement vote and would not allow other countries to dictate Warsaw’s position.
“No one will tell us how we should vote on the accession of one state or another to the European Union,” he said.
The warning comes amid renewed friction between Warsaw and Kyiv over historical memory, even as Poland remains one of Ukraine’s most important military and political supporters in Europe.
MiGs-for-drones deal stalls
Kosiniak-Kamysz also confirmed that Poland will not transfer its remaining Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine for now, saying Kyiv has not followed through on a reciprocal agreement to share combat-tested drone technology and operational know-how.
Ukraine, Denmark Discuss Drone Deal, Boost Anti-Ballistic Cooperation
The defense minister said Warsaw had pursued what he described as a pragmatic, partnership-based trade-off with Ukraine.
“I proposed a very partner-like approach: MiGs for drones,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said on the broadcast.
“The Ukrainians initially accepted this but did not follow through. Therefore, there are no MiGs for Ukraine, because there are no drones or drone capabilities for Poland,” he added.
Negotiations over the aircraft swap began in late 2025 as Poland prepared to phase out its aging MiG-29 fleet, which is being replaced by South Korean FA-50 light combat aircraft and US-made F-35 stealth fighters.
In exchange for the airframes, Warsaw expected access to Ukrainian drone technology and operational know-how developed during the war against Russia, as Poland seeks to strengthen its own uncrewed defense capabilities.
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