Gdańsk does not plan to remove Ukrainian flags from public buildings, despite the outrage in Poland following the decision of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to bestow an honorary title of «Heroes of the UPA» on one of the units.
The Gdańsk city hall emphasized that the flags remain a symbol of support for the Ukrainian people in their war with Russia and are not related to the assessment of Kyiv’s historical policies.
Ukrainian flags have been present in the public spaces of Polish cities for over four years, yet the attitude towards them among residents remains mixed. Some see them as an important gesture of solidarity, while others consider them an excessive symbol that should disappear from the streets and institutions.
The new wave of disputes is linked to Kyiv’s decision regarding the UPA, which has sparked sharp criticism in Poland. Prime Minister Donald Tusk called it alarming for bilateral relations, while Polish President Karol Nawrocki stated that he critically assesses Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision and suggested stripping the Ukrainian president of Poland’s highest honor — the Order of the White Eagle.
Nevertheless, in Gdańsk, it is emphasized that removing the flags would send a signal against ordinary Ukrainians, not the authorities, and the city does not intend to take such a step.
