In doing so, he was repudiating the memory of Ukrainian heroes who had fought Poland and drawn Ukraine towards Russia. Poland's self-abnegation would go unrewarded; Russia would reclaim its parts of Ukraine, while Poland would be left out in the cold. Bogdan Khmelnitsky, had swayed the Rada in 1654 in favor of Russia, effectively parting with Poland. Fifthly, among many Polish intellectuals and politicians, Ukraine was and is perceived as an arena of confrontation with Russia. In addition, the Poles are furious because, unlike themselves, who abandoned their territories, Russia is actually restoring Russian lands.

Source: New York Times May 31, 2022 14:50 UTC