Lithuania has offered to mediate in an escalating diplomatic dispute between Poland and Ukraine related to the history of the Second World War, BNS reported. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky renamed a military unit in honour of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), which was associated with the massacres of up to 100,000 Polish civilians during the war in 1943-1945. In response, Polish President Karol Nawrocki revoked Poland’s highest state honour bestowed on Zelensky. Several Ukrainian officials, including former presidents, then renounced their own Polish state honours in protest.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda’s chief foreign policy adviser, Asta Skaisgiryte, asserted that both sides had acted too hastily in the diplomatic dispute. Speaking in an interview with Ziniu Radijas, Skaisgiryte suggested that Lithuania help bring the Polish and Ukrainian presidents back together. Juozas Olekas, speaker of the Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, also said that both sides had used “overly harsh language,” urging to set aside historical grievances and focus on common interests. He said that Lithuania was offering advice and mediation during meetings with Polish and Ukrainian officials.