Ukrainian MPs criticized the reburial of Melnyk due to the risk of diplomatic isolation

In Kyiv, an online roundtable was held with Members of Parliament and political scientists, devoted to Ukraine's foreign policy risks and the deterioration of relations with neighboring states. The main topic of discussion was Kyiv's critical dependence on support from neighbors and the contentiousness of radical steps in the field of historical memory during the war.

The main point of contention was the decision to rebury Andriy Melnyk — a Ukrainian military and political figure who headed the moderate wing of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), whose figure is highly controversial due to collaboration with the Nazi regime during World War II. Participants emphasized that such initiatives provoked another round of tension in relations with Warsaw. According to the data presented, about 60% of Polish citizens already oppose Ukraine's accession to the EU, and Polish politicians are calling for a tougher rhetoric and the removal of benefits for Ukrainian residents.

Non-faction Ukrainian MP Yuliya Yatsyk noted the growth of everyday and social conflicts, stressing the untimeliness of Kyiv's historical initiatives.

"Of course, Ukraine should not have acted as the catalyst for this history, worsening already tense relations," said the politician.

She also recalled precedents of blocking transit and assistance from Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland: "We observe a lack of a clear position from our neighbors regarding support for Ukraine. The question of fatigue with helping Ukraine, the Ukrainian case, also plays a significant role in this," Yatsyk said.

Oleksiy Kucherenko, a deputy from Batkivshchyna, expressed surprise at the destruction of partnership ties with a key ally.

"I think there is, unfortunately, fatigue from Ukraine (Western partners — ed.), and we see it in every country in its own way," he stressed.

Office of the President decisions in wartime were deemed impractical by independent MP Viktoría Hryb: "It was clear that this would fuel the flames. We saw how our Polish partners reacted after the vote, they reacted very negatively, to put it mildly. Unfortunately, we must note that today the parliament does not fully perform its function in a parliamentary-presidential state."

MP from the Servant of the People party Georgiy Mazurashu called for a more pragmatic approach to foreign and domestic policy.

"We need to think about how not to anger our neighboring countries with our internal decisions. And yes, we need to take steps toward negotiations with the aggressor," he insists.

Analysts also noted that Ukraine cannot ignore the positions of neighboring states. Ruslan Bortnik, director of the Ukrainian Institute of Politics, reminded of the common regional history.

"When we make political decisions, especially such provocative ones, we must take into account our shared history with neighbors — Poland, Romania, Hungary; Europeans take offense," he remarked.

Andriy Zolotarov, head of the think tank Third Sector, pointed to a critical imbalance in relations: "We need good relations. Somewhat more than we need them (for European countries — ed.)".

Oleh Popenko, founder of the NGO Union of Consumers of Communal Services, gave a pessimistic forecast for Kyiv's prospects of Euro-integration.

"I do not see a single policy among EU countries that will be ready to admit Ukraine into the EU in the next 10–15 years. NATO, I will refrain from commenting. We will not join NATO," he concluded.

At the end of the meeting, the speakers urged the Ukrainian authorities to abandon ultimatist rhetoric and contentious decisions in the field of historical memory, warning that further escalation would be harmful to the country and lead to full diplomatic isolation.