Ukraine and Poland in Historical Context
Kiev is the capital of Ukraine, a country located in Eastern Europe. However, due to centuries of war and political upheaval, the history of Kiev is closely connected to Poland. For many centuries the city was known as the centre of the vast state of Kievan Rus – one of the first Eastern Slavic states – with its main trading partner lying in what is now modern Poland.
Between the years of 882 and 1240 Kiev was part of the Polish state. During this time, the Rus people, along with their language, religion and culture, came under the influence of the Polish rulers. This led to a close bond between the two regions, and as time passed the cities of Kiev and Poland began to intermingle as one.
During the 13th century, the Mongol invasion weakened the Rus state, and Polish influences further increased. This went on until the 15th and 16th centuries when Poland and Lithuania were finally reunited through the Union of Lublin. At this time most of modern-day Ukraine, including Kiev, were part of this new union.
It has been argued that this period was when Poland and Ukraine had their closest relationship, and at times it felt like one state. The Union of Lublin brought about important reforms, such as the introduction of a common tax system, the transfer of the trade language to Polish and the adoption of a common legal code.
Yet despite this close relationship, the longer-term effects of Ukrainian-Polish relations were far more dramatic. In the late 17th century, for instance, Polish nobles began encroaching on the rights of the Ukrainian peasants, leading to a wave of unrest and rebellion. This culminated in the formation of the Ukrainian Cossacks and a period of Ukrainian history known as the Khmelnytsky Uprising, where the Cossacks fought for their independence from the Polish.
Ultimately, the Cossacks were successful and in 1648 the Treaty of Pereyaslav signed between the Cossacks and Moscow was a major step in the formation of Ukraine as an independent state.
The Ukrainian-Polish War of 1918-1920
Despite the formation of the Ukrainian state, the history between Ukraine and Poland was far from over. Just a few decades later, in 1918, the two nations were involved in a bloody confrontation that would have long-term consequences for both countries.
The conflict started over the division of land after World War I, when Kiev became the center of an independent Ukrainian state. This angered many Polish nobles who wanted to regain the Ukrainian land they had lost in the aftermath of the Khmelnytsky Uprising. This led the Polish to invade Ukraine and occupy Kiev in May of 1918.
The war was intense with both sides suffering huge losses. The Ukrainians had to resort to guerilla tactics to try and maintain a foothold in the city, but in the end they were forced to retreat and Kiev fell back into the hands of the Polish.
The war turned out to be an important lesson in Ukrainian nationalism for both countries, and it was a major reason why Ukraine was able to reclaim its independence in 1991 after the fall of the Soviet Union.
The Legacy of Poland on Modern Ukraine
Despite the turbulent history between Ukraine and Poland, the legacy of Polish influence in modern Ukraine is strong. Kiev still stands as Ukraine’s largest city, and its architecture and culture are a mix of both Ukrainian and Polish styles. You can still see the remains of many Polish buildings in the city, and many Ukrainian citizens speak Polish as a second language.
Poland and Ukraine have also had a strong economic relationship since the fall of the Soviet Union. There is now a large community of Polish expatriates in Ukraine, and many Poles have settled in the country to take advantage of its relatively cheap cost of living. In addition, Ukraine is Poland’s second-largest trading partner after Germany.
The modern relationship between Ukraine and Poland is a far cry from the turmoil of the past. Poland is now one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters in the West, and it has backed Kiev in its fight for closer integration with the European Union. In a sense, this makes modern polish-ukraine relations a continuation of the close historical ties between the two countries.
Political Issues between Ukraine and Poland
Though Poland and Ukraine are now strong allies, there are still a number of political issues between the two countries. Ukraine and Poland have been at odds on a number of issues in the past, particularly over land control and the status of ethnic minorities. For instance, in the aftermath of World War II, Poland gained control of a large section of western Ukraine, while Ukraine was forced to recognize some Polish claims in the east.
In 2019, tensions between the two countries escalated over a law passed by the Ukrainian government that imposes criminal penalties for the denial of the “Holodomor”, the famine that claimed the lives of millions of Ukrainians in 1932-1933. Though some Polish historians view the Holodomor as an exaggerated event, the Ukrainian government considers the famine a key part of its history and argue that denial of the event should be punishable by law.
In addition, Ukraine and Poland are still in disagreement on the issue of the Ukrainian language. Poland has voiced its opposition to the law passed by the Ukrainian government which makes Ukrainian the language of instruction in all educational institutions, arguing that this move is unfair to the Polish minority in Ukraine.
The Future of Ukraine-Poland Relations
Despite the political disagreements between Ukraine and Poland, both countries stand to gain from a strong relationship. The two states share a long history and a common culture, and both recognize the importance of closer economic ties to one another. In fact, a significant portion of Ukraine’s exports are directed to Poland, a trend that is unlikely to change in the near future.
In addition, both countries are striving to become closer to the West and reinforce their political and economic independence. As such, Ukraine and Poland are now taking steps to strengthen their relations, with many in the Ukrainian government hoping that these moves will lead to increased trade opportunities and the expansion of the Ukrainian economy.
The challenge for Ukraine and Poland now is to foster this relationship despite the disagreements that still exist. Only by understanding each other’s history and respecting the differences between them can they build a strong relationship that will benefit both countries.
Conclusion
The history between Ukraine and Poland is long and complex. Kiev has been part of Poland many times over the centuries, and the two countries fought a bitter war in the early 20th century. Today, the two countries are strong allies, with both striving to become closer to the West and build closer economic ties. While there are still issues to be resolved between the two nations, the future of Ukraine-Poland relations is one of opportunity and mutual benefit.
