Ukraine has granted Poland permission to exhume the remains of Polish soldiers who died in 1939 in the area of the former village of Zboiska, now within the city limits of Lviv. It is believed that the site contains the remains of Polish soldiers who fought against Nazi forces. In return, Poland has allowed Ukraine to conduct exhumation work in the village of Jureczkowa. The issue of exhumations has long been a source of tension between Ukraine and Poland. Ukraine imposed a moratorium on exhumations in 2016 after Polish authorities destroyed several monuments to the Ukrainian Insurgent Army. The Polish government, led by Donald Tusk, has consistently pressured Kyiv to lift the moratorium. Recently, exhumations began in the Ternopil region, at the site of the now-abandoned village of Puzhniki, where Polish civilians were killed. Ukraine expects the exhumations to start soon.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning outlets emphasize the historical reconciliation aspect of the exhumations, highlighting the cooperation between Ukraine and Poland as a positive step towards healing past wounds and fostering regional stability. They may also focus on the human rights and dignity of the deceased soldiers and the importance of uncovering historical truths.
Center: Center-leaning sources report the facts of the agreement between Ukraine and Poland, noting the mutual permissions granted for exhumations and the historical context of tensions between the two countries. They present the issue as a diplomatic and historical matter, focusing on the procedural aspects and the ongoing efforts to resolve sensitive historical disputes.
Right: Right-leaning media often emphasize national pride and sovereignty, highlighting Poland’s insistence on recovering its soldiers’ remains and framing the exhumations as a matter of national honor. They may also stress the political pressure Poland exerts on Ukraine and the historical grievances related to the Ukrainian Insurgent Army monuments, sometimes portraying Ukraine’s moratorium as politically motivated or disrespectful.
