Zelenskiy aims to improve ties with Poland after row over military honour

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday took steps to repair a rift with key ally Poland over his decision in May to name a Ukrainian army unit in honour of World War Two fighters who killed Poles.



Zelenskiy chaired a meeting of senior officials devoted to relations with Poland and pledged to expand investigations into those killings by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a pro-independence armed group, and open intelligence files.



Zelenskiy told the meeting that improved ties were critical in view of Poland's considerable help to Ukraine since Russia's invasion of its smaller neighbour in 2022. Polish President Karol Nawrocki stripped Zelenskiy of Poland's top honour after he announced the naming plan.



"The priorities are clear: All of us in Europe need good neighbourly, equal, and mutually beneficial relations built on respect," Zelenskiy wrote on X after the meeting.



"Poland provided significant support to Ukraine after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, and we are grateful to Poland."