Polish President Karol Nawrocki has stated that Ukraine's continued use of symbols associated with the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) is limiting the country's prospects for joining the European Union.
The comments were made on Wednesday following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, marking a significant escalation in the diplomatic friction between the two nations.
Nawrocki's stance introduces a fresh political obstacle to Ukraine's accession negotiations, which have already faced delays due to broader EU institutional concerns.
By framing the historical symbolism as a barrier to integration, Warsaw is signaling that bilateral historical grievances will continue to influence the pace of Kyiv's European ambitions.
The remark comes amid a deepening diplomatic crisis between the two capitals.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk recently intervened to de-escalate tensions, warning that the conflict between politicians in both countries is a strategic mistake that could harm broader regional security cooperation.