In Kyiv, officials have reacted to the initiative voiced by Polish President Karol Nawrocki to ban Ukrainian red-and-black flags, warning about a potential response if the Polish Sejm proceeds with such a step. [“Red-and-black flag” refers to the flag historically used by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) during the Second World War, which has since become associated with Ukrainian nationalism – ed.]

Source: European Pravda, citing its source

Details: On Monday 25 August, Nawrocki announced a legislative initiative that would amend Poland’s Criminal Code to equate the “Bandera symbol” with Nazi and communist symbols. [Stepan Bandera was a Ukrainian nationalist leader. In Poland, he is often criticised for extremist actions during the Second World War – ed.]

“We are analysing the legal implications of the adopted decisions and their potential impact on the situation of Ukrainian citizens in Poland,” a diplomatic source said.

The source said Kyiv is grateful to official Warsaw for all past decisions in favour of Ukrainian citizens and believes their rights will be respected no less than in other European Union countries.

“Meanwhile, any politicised decisions to supposedly equate Ukrainian symbols with Nazi and communist ones could provoke an increase in negative sentiment in Ukrainian society and would require a response from the Ukrainian side,” the source stressed.

Background:

• On 14 August, Nawrocki called on the Sejm to ban the “Bandera flag” in Poland after incidents during a Belarusian rapper’s concert in Warsaw.
• On 25 August, the Polish president also decided to veto a law on support for Ukrainian refugees in Poland who do not have jobs.
• Polish Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski criticised Nawrocki’s stance, saying it would mean the end of Starlink internet for Ukraine.

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