- WIADOMOŚCI
Poland ties Ukraine's EU accession to resolution of Bandera legacy, refuses to transfer MiG-29 jets
Photo. Mirosław Mróz/Defence24
The deputy prime minister and minister of national defence of Poland, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, stated that Warsaw would make an independent decision regarding the acceptance of Ukraine as a new member of the EU and that the issue of Stepan Bandera in the Ukrainian collective memory may become an obstacle.
When asked about Ukraine’s possible entry into the EU with Bandera being an important personality in its national pantheon, Kosiniak-Kamysz noted that Ukraine has to comply with all the conditions for accession, including those concerning the collective memory. In his opinion, a candidate state cannot form its policy of remembrance through controversial figures and events which evoke unpleasant memories and resistance from other countries, and he cited France, Italy, and Croatia as examples of such EU accession processes.
“No one will tell us how we should vote on the accession of one state or another to the European Union,” the minister said, adding that those who undermine European cooperation should not be placed on a pedestal.
Kosiniak-Kamysz also accused Ukrainian authorities of using the historical dispute with Poland for domestic political purposes, and said he agreed that some political forces in Kyiv are not interested in Ukraine’s EU membership moving forward.
Poland withholds MiG-29 jets over stalled drone deal
Separately, Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed that Poland will not transfer its remaining Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine, citing Kyiv’s failure to follow through on a proposed swap of the aircraft for Ukrainian drone technology.
“I proposed what I believe was a very fair partnership: MiGs in exchange for drones. The Ukrainians initially accepted the proposal but never implemented it,” the minister said, adding that without Ukrainian drone capabilities being shared with Poland, the jets will not be delivered.
Discussions concerning the transaction started at the end of 2025, with Poland planning to replace its old MiG-29 planes with new light combat aircraft from South Korea called FA-50 and F-35 stealth planes from America. As a payment, Warsaw asked for Ukrainian combat drone experience gained in the course of the war against Russia. The announcement has been made in the context of tensions arising between Warsaw and Kyiv in regard to history, despite the fact that Poland is one of the main supporters of Ukraine in Europe.
