Ukraine envoy rejects claim honoring Bandera could hinder country’s EU accession
Only Ukraine has the right to choose its national heroes, and historical disputes should not obstruct support for its European integration, Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Bodnar told European Pravda.
Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Bodnar has dismissed claims that honoring historical figure Stepan Bandera could hinder Ukraine's path to European Union accession. Bodnar emphasized that Ukraine holds the sole authority to decide which individuals should be recognized as national heroes, asserting that past historical disputes should not impede support for its European integration.
Despite the tensions in relations between Ukraine and Poland, Bodnar expressed confidence that Ukraine would eventually become a member of the EU. He highlighted the importance of addressing both the positive and negative aspects of Ukraine's history, including the actions of both the Ukrainian Insurgent Army and the Polish underground.
Bodnar stressed that Ukraine's decision to honor Bandera is a sovereign choice and should not be dictated by external forces. He also pointed out that Poland's stance could be seen as detrimental to its own EU membership if it glorified similarly controversial figures like the Ustasha or Marshal Pétain.
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