Ukrainian and Polish Historians Meet in Baranow Sandomierski to Counter Russian Propaganda

More than 100 Ukrainian and Polish historians will gather in Baranów Sandomierski, Poland, from May 6-8 for a landmark historical congress aimed at addressing contested historical narratives and strengthening bilateral scholarly cooperation.

The Ukrainian-Polish Historical Congress represents a significant effort to counter Russian propaganda that portrays the two neighboring nations as incapable of resolving their historical disagreements, according to Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Bodnar.

“We have a rich and complex thousand-year history. It is important that we examine all the complex pages of history together and not interpret it in a way that would fuel Russian propaganda, because Russia deftly uses our disagreements or differences of assessment,” Bodnar explained.

The diplomat described the congress as a “practical and decisive response” to narratives suggesting Ukrainians and Poles cannot engage in productive historical dialogue or overcome longstanding disputes rooted in their shared past.

Historical relations between Poland and Ukraine have been periodically strained by differing interpretations of several controversial events, particularly surrounding the World War II era. These historical tensions have occasionally complicated diplomatic relations between the two countries, making this congress particularly significant in the current geopolitical context.

The gathering will create a platform for restoring permanent professional dialogue between Ukrainian and Polish historical experts while developing institutional mechanisms for cooperation in the field of historical memory. Participants will analyze research gaps, interpretive approaches, and contemporary historiographical challenges in both countries.

“This congress will allow historians from both sides to discuss current issues, align methodologies, examine source materials, and work toward forming a shared understanding of our mutual history,” explained one of the organizers.

The ambitious scope of the event makes it one of the largest collaborative initiatives between the Ukrainian and Polish research communities in recent years. The congress will tackle some of the most difficult questions that continue to spark public debate in both societies, with an eye toward reconciliation.

The Ukrainian delegation features several prominent officials, including Oleksandr Alfyorov, head of the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory; Deputy Foreign Minister Oleksandr Mishchenko; and Ambassador Bodnar. Their participation underscores the importance Kyiv places on this historical dialogue.

Organizers hope the congress will establish a unique framework for reconciliation on historically sensitive topics that have occasionally complicated bilateral relations. By creating a space for open academic discussion, the event aims to develop constructive approaches to interpreting shared historical experiences.

The timing of this historical dialogue takes on added significance against the backdrop of strengthened Polish-Ukrainian cooperation following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Poland has emerged as one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters in Europe, providing military aid, accepting millions of Ukrainian refugees, and advocating for Ukraine’s accelerated path to EU membership.

For both nations, reaching common historical understanding represents more than academic exercise—it’s increasingly viewed as a strategic necessity in countering Russian influence operations that exploit historical grievances to divide regional allies.

The congress reflects a growing recognition that unresolved historical disputes provide fertile ground for information warfare. By addressing these issues directly through scholarly cooperation, Ukraine and Poland aim to deprive external actors of opportunities to exploit historical sensitivities for geopolitical advantage.

If successful, the Baranów Sandomierski gathering could establish a sustainable model for historical reconciliation that strengthens not only Ukrainian-Polish relations but also broader regional cooperation across Central and Eastern Europe.