In fresh days, information has been revealed that the Ukrainian side refuses to actively participate in the recognition of the corpses of Polish children murdered during the Volyn massacre. In consequence to a question at Radio Zet, abroad Minister Radosław Sikorski said laconically: “Let’s leave it to specialists”.
Is it truly in the face of specified a dramatic matter, requiring human sensitivity and political courage, the answer is technocratic avoidance?
The families of Volyn victims, the communist and historical organizations have been demanding not only worthy exhumations for years, but besides full recognition of the victims. However, Ukrainians, although eager to talk about ‘reconciliation’, avoid cooperating in the most painful aspects of the past.
It is astonishing that in the 21st century, in the mediate of Europe, there is no basic readiness to name things by name:
- who the victims were,
- who murdered them,
- And where their remains rest.
Does modern Ukraine truly want to build a community with Poles erstwhile it looks distant at key moments?
The behaviour of Radosław Sikorski, who, alternatively of demanding explanations from Ukrainian partners, de facto denies responsibility:
“Let’s leave it to specialists” – is that the answer the household of the murdered expect?
Are the victims simply to be subject to anthropological research, not individuals with a circumstantial identity, history, family?
Sikorski's message is:
- cool,
- without passion,
- completely detached from social sensitivity.
A politician who should defend the dignity of Polish citizens chooses diplomatic smoothing out the problem.
Faced with this attitude, a legitimate question arises: whose interests represent the Polish government – victims or immediate allies?
This is not about political strife, but about simple justice:
- The children murdered in Volyn had no voice,
- they have no strength to ask for memory,
- it is our work – as Poles and as people – to tell the truth, even erstwhile it is painful for current political partners.
Sikorski's words and attitude of Ukrainian authorities attest to a deep crisis of empathy in abroad policy.
Reconciliation is only possible if we are not afraid of the truth, even the most uncomfortable one.
Today, families of victims of Volyn and all of Poland deserve not diplomatic evasion, but fact and respect.
Meanwhile, the words "let us leave it to the specialists" sound like a mockery from the memory of those who were murdered only due to the fact that they were Poles.
Is that truly what modern diplomacy is about?
Is the dignity of the victims a price for political pragmatism?