Zelensky meets Tusk in Brussels amid UPA row, says Ukraine wants to end war before winter

A meeting overshadowed by historical tensions

Volodymyr Zelensky met Donald Tusk on the margins of the European Council summit in Brussels on Thursday, 18 June. The conversation took place before the plenary session began, with Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrij Sybiha and Poland’s representative to the EU Agnieszka Bartol also at the table. Zelensky later posted on social media that they discussed bilateral agenda items, Ukraine’s European integration, and the challenges all European countries face due to Russian aggression.

I am grateful to Poland for supporting Ukraine from the first days of the Russian invasion. This is really important for our region and all of Europe. Our common security interests and the freedom of every nation living in the neighbourhood of Russia must be protected.

No official readout of results was released, but the Ukrainian outlet European Pravda stressed the meeting’s particular significance.

The meeting has particular significance due to the escalation of the historical conflict between the two countries and the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk, where President Zelensky’s presence was initially planned.

The "Heroes of UPA" dispute

Tensions flared at the end of May after Zelensky named a military unit the "Heroes of UPA". The Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) is seen in Poland as the force responsible for the extermination of Poles in Volhynia, while Ukraine views the formation as an independence movement that fought primarily against the USSR. The decision drew strong criticism in Warsaw. President Karol Nawrocki convened the Chapter of the Order of the White Eagle on 8 June to consider stripping Zelensky of the decoration. The chapter issued an opinion, but no final decision has been taken. The removal of the order also requires a countersignature from the prime minister. Donald Tusk described both Zelensky’s move and the initiative to revoke the order as "disturbing".

Ending the war before winter

Addressing the EU summit, Zelensky set out a firm timeline.

We want to end this war before winter.

He argued that the goal can be achieved through diplomacy and pressure on Russia. Should the fighting continue, Ukraine would need a winter aid package covering fuel, diesel, energy equipment and at least 300 missiles. Zelensky informed EU leaders of these requirements and thanked neighbouring countries, naming Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. He also assured that Ukraine is committed to mutual respect.

Uncertainty over the Gdańsk recovery conference

The Ukraine Recovery Conference is scheduled for 25–26 June in Gdańsk. Zelensky’s attendance was initially planned, but his office has not confirmed it since the UPA scandal. Some Polish sources and the Servant of the People MP Mykyta Poturajew have indicated he intends to travel to Gdańsk, while the presidential administration reiterated its standard position that foreign visits of the head of state are never announced in advance for security reasons. Tusk, asked earlier about the visit, said he would discuss the matter with Zelensky in Brussels.

Visegrád revival

Separately, Donald Tusk announced the first meeting of Visegrád Group leaders in years. Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar extended an invitation to the prime ministers of Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to Budapest and Gödöllő on Tuesday. Tusk said he is keen to unblock the format because the four Central European countries have common issues to address in Europe.