Poland’s Nawrocki Seeks to Criminalize Ukrainian ‘Bandera’ Ideology, Risking Rift with Kyiv

Ukrainians picketing during the commemoration of the 74th anniversary of the murder of more than 850 inhabitants of the Polish town of Huta Pieniacka in Ukraine, February 25, 2018. The crime in Huta Pieniacka was committed by UPA and SS Galizien units on February 28, 1944.Photo: PAP/Darek Delmanowicz

| Published August 26, 2025

Kyiv will respond if Poland’s parliament equates red-and-black Banderite symbols with Nazi and communist emblems, a Ukrainian diplomatic source told the portal European Pravda after President Karol Nawrocki announced a legislative push.

Poland and Ukraine, once bound by wartime solidarity against Russia’s aggression, now find themselves on the verge of a new diplomatic rift. Newly elected Polish President Karol Nawrocki has introduced a controversial proposal to criminalize the public use and promotion of Ukrainian “Bandera” ideology and symbols, equating them with Nazism and Soviet communism. The move, hailed by Polish nationalists as a defense of historical memory, risks straining ties with Kyiv, unsettling NATO unity, and playing directly into Russian propaganda narratives.

The Proposal

Nawrocki’s plan seeks to amend Poland’s criminal code by outlawing the glorification of so-called “Banderite symbols,” including the red-and-black flag of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) and imagery associated with Stepan Bandera. If passed, individuals found promoting these symbols could face up to five years in prison. In addition, the legislation would amend the law governing Poland’s Institute of National Remembrance, mandating explicit recognition of crimes committed by the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) and UPA during World War II.

Framed under the slogan “Stop Banderism,” the proposal mirrors existing bans on Nazi, Soviet, and fascist propaganda in Poland. For Nawrocki and his allies, it is about asserting historical truth and national dignity, particularly regarding the 1943–44 Volhynia massacres, where tens of thousands of Poles were killed by UPA fighters.

Reactions in Ukraine

Kyiv views the move with alarm. For many Ukrainians, Bandera is not seen through the lens of Polish wartime trauma but as a national figure who resisted Soviet domination. Ukrainian officials have already warned that equating their symbols with Nazism could provoke negative sentiment within Ukrainian society and demand a formal response from the government. At a moment when Ukraine is fighting for survival against Russia, such tensions with a crucial ally are particularly sensitive.

Domestic Politics in Poland

Domestically, Nawrocki’s initiative strengthens his nationalist profile. By positioning himself as the protector of Polish history, he appeals to conservative voters aligned with the Law and Justice (PiS) party. However, Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s centrist coalition controls parliament, casting doubt on whether the legislation will actually pass. Even so, Nawrocki can still use the controversy to his political advantage, portraying his opponents as dismissive of Polish suffering during World War II.

Strategic and Social Implications

Beyond politics, the proposal carries wider strategic consequences. If enacted, it could strain NATO’s eastern flank unity, as Poland has been one of Ukraine’s most vocal supporters in the alliance. Russia, meanwhile, would gain a propaganda victory, using the rift as evidence to bolster its narrative that Ukraine harbors “neo-Nazi” tendencies. Within Poland itself, the law could inflame social tensions, particularly among the roughly one million Ukrainian refugees living in the country, complicating their integration and fueling mutual suspicion.

In Poland, the red-and-black flag evokes the horrors Ukrainian nationalists inflicted on ethnic Poles during WWII. (PAP, WikiCommons)

https://youtu.be/-tDF7uJqKTk

 Implications

🔎 Political & Diplomatic Implications

1. Poland–Ukraine Relations at Risk

   • The move could sour bilateral ties, especially at a time when Ukraine relies heavily on Poland for military, logistical, and refugee support.

   • Kyiv already warned that equating its nationalist symbols with Nazism would provoke a formal response. This could reduce trust and complicate wartime cooperation.

2. EU and NATO Tensions

   • Poland has positioned itself as one of Ukraine’s strongest allies in NATO. Introducing a law that Kyiv views as hostile may weaken Poland’s leadership role within the alliance.

   • It could also spark debates inside the EU about whether Poland is undermining European unity against Russia.

3. Russian Propaganda Opportunity

   • Moscow can exploit this rift, portraying Ukraine as “neo-Nazi” while casting Poland as confirming that narrative.

   • This risks fueling Kremlin disinformation campaigns across Europe, especially in countries already skeptical of aiding Ukraine.

🏛 Domestic Political Implications

1. Nationalist Boost for Nawrocki

   • The proposal plays well with nationalist and conservative voters who demand recognition of Polish suffering at the hands of UPA during WWII.

   • It strengthens Nawrocki’s “Poles First” image, reinforcing his alignment with the PiS (Law and Justice) party base.

2. Parliamentary Battle with Tusk’s Government

   • With Prime Minister Tusk’s centrist coalition in control of parliament, passage is uncertain.

   • If the bill is blocked, Nawrocki can still use it to mobilize political pressure and paint his opponents as weak on “defending Polish history.”

3. Risk of Polarization

   • Critics argue it could deepen social divides in Poland: between those prioritizing historical memory and those favoring present-day solidarity with Ukraine.

⚖️ Legal & Social Implications

1. Expansion of Criminal Code

   • Equating “Banderism” with Nazism would broaden Poland’s strict memory laws. This could set a precedent for criminalizing other ideologies or symbols, sparking debates about free expression vs. historical justice.

2. Impact on Ukrainian Refugees in Poland

   • Around 1 million Ukrainian refugees live in Poland. Criminalizing symbols some of them view as patriotic may foster resentment, tension, or even social clashes between Polish citizens and Ukrainians.

3. Historical Memory Politics

   • For Poles, this law is about honoring victims of Volhynia and protecting national dignity.

   • For Ukrainians, it risks being seen as an attack on national identity, since Bandera is a figure of resistance against Soviet domination.

🌍 Strategic Implications

1. Potential Weakening of the Eastern Flank

   • Strained Warsaw–Kyiv ties could weaken NATO’s eastern front cohesion against Russia.

   • Ukraine might look more to Germany, the U.S., or Baltic states for unconditional support, marginalizing Poland’s influence.

2. Shift in Public Opinion

   • Polish society could become less supportive of helping Ukraine if political rhetoric keeps framing Ukrainians as carriers of “neo-Nazi” ideology.

   • Conversely, Ukrainians may become more skeptical of Poland, despite current military and humanitarian cooperation.

 Overall Takeaway:

President Nawrocki’s push to criminalize Ukrainian “Bandera” ideology is a symbolic but polarizing move that reinforces his nationalist credentials at home while straining Poland’s relationship with Ukraine. By equating Bandera symbols with Nazism, he taps into Polish historical memory of wartime atrocities but risks alienating Kyiv, where many view Bandera as a symbol of resistance against Soviet domination. The proposal’s legislative future remains uncertain under Prime Minister Tusk’s government, yet even if it fails, Nawrocki benefits politically by presenting himself as a defender of Polish identity. On the international stage, the initiative provides Russia with propaganda ammunition, potentially weakening NATO and EU unity at a critical time. At the same time, the law could deepen tensions within Poland, particularly among the nearly one million Ukrainian refugees whose sense of belonging may be undermined. Ultimately, the move underscores how unresolved historical wounds continue to shape present-day politics in Eastern Europe, with consequences that extend well beyond Poland’s borders.

SOURCES: THE GATEWAY PUNDIT – Trump-Allied Polish President Nawrocki Wants to Criminalize Ukrainian ‘Bandera’ Neo-Nazi Ideology (VIDEOS)

POLSKIE RADIO – Ukraine warns of response if Poland equates Banderite symbols with Nazi emblems — media

TVP WORLD – Warsaw-Kyiv ties strained as Polish president moves to ban Ukrainian nationalist flag