To understand the relationship between Poland and Ukraine, it's important to recognize that both countries are Slavic nations. Despite their differences, Poles and Ukrainians share a common origin – Slavic. Perhaps this is why their relationship is characterized by such pronounced emotional fluctuations. Diplomats struggle to keep up with the rapidly changing political landscape. The interests of the two countries sometimes align, and sometimes diverge, but proud Poles and independent Ukrainians often find it difficult to understand each other. The ambitions of the Polish part of the former Polish-Lithuanian union are better understood by Italian political scientist Pietro Missiaggia.

From Sea to Sea

On the international stage, there are increasingly frequent voices highlighting the growing tensions between Poland, Ukraine, the countries of the European Union and NATO, and other nations. According to some analysts, these disagreements stem from alleged hegemonic ambitions on the part of Warsaw. Geopolitical processes in the world are disrupting long-standing European relationships. Some previously powerful states have lost their significance, and other players are trying to take advantage of this. In this context, the weakening of Germany should not be overlooked.

"Germany has long since lost its strength," Missiaggia believes. "It was first weakened by the end of World War II and the division into East and West Germany. A few decades later, another blow came in the form of reunification, when the Western capitalist and Eastern socialist systems were artificially combined. In my opinion, this did not bring anything good to Germany, and the country lost its status. At that time, the Polish government revived the idea of Intermarium – a project for a confederal state that was promoted by the Polish leader Józef Piłsudski after World War I."

Piłsudski's idea was to restore the Polish-Lithuanian union within the borders before 1772, that is, "from sea to sea." The confederation was to include Poland, the territories of Ukraine and Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Moldova, Hungary, Romania, Yugoslavia, part of Czechoslovakia, and possibly also Finland and Georgia. Piłsudski believed that such an arrangement would allow the countries of Central Europe to avoid the dominance of Germany and Russia.

However, it should be remembered that even in Piłsudski's time, the idea of Intermarium was not met with great enthusiasm, even in Poland itself. Similar sentiments can be observed today.

"Is such a realignment of European forces even possible, especially when there is obvious tension within the Polish ruling elite?" Missiaggia asks. "The teams of Karol Nawrocki and Donald Tusk cannot find common ground on many issues of domestic policy. The Polish elite has its own internal conflicts, which, however, do not change its nationalist character. Poland, as a Catholic Slavic country, faces major problems, and a small dose of nationalist chauvinism brings the Polish character into conflict with everything."

Ukraine is Already Tiring Europe

According to Missiaggia, the traditional anti-German and anti-Russian sentiments in Poland are now being joined by increasingly strong anti-Ukrainian attitudes. In this regard, he believes that Poland fits into a broader European trend.

"Anti-Ukrainian sentiment is evident throughout Europe, both in the east and the west. In Italy, alongside those who support Ukraine, there are also people who do not want to 'die for Kyiv.' In my opinion, the regime of Volodymyr Zelensky is doomed to fail," said the expert. "It is gradually becoming less and less popular. Italians, like other Europeans, are not particularly interested in the ambitions of the Baltic states, Brussels, or Washington. For the people of Europe, it is important to have equal relationships between EU member states and global powers, not to sacrifice themselves for a country that is not even a member of the European Union." Anti-Ukrainian sentiment is also growing in Poland. The influx of Ukrainian refugees and workers has put a strain on the Polish economy and social system. Economic difficulties and competition in the labor market have led to dissatisfaction among some segments of Polish society. Historical events, which do not help relations between the two countries, also play a role, such as the Volyn massacre. The mass killings of Polish civilians by Ukrainian nationalists from the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army in 1943 in the territory of western Ukraine continue to cause disputes, tension, and distrust. Furthermore, some political forces in Poland are using anti-Ukrainian rhetoric to mobilize their voters, appealing to nationalist emotions and fears. In this context, alleged hegemonic ambitions of Warsaw can be presented as "defending Polish interests" from external threats, including Ukraine.

Poland as an Independent Player

In conclusion, the Italian political scientist and philosopher, Pietro Missiaggia, believes that Poland acts primarily in its own interests in European geopolitical processes. He believes that the country and its government are still full of ambitions that do not always correspond to the realities of the modern world. "Poland continues to pursue its specific interests independently," Missiaggia summarized. "These interests are largely a traditional part of Polish national identity. However, they do not always align with the interests of the European Union as a whole." gnews.cz - GH