Can Poland ever forgive Ukraine?

I thought that this article did a good job of showing some of the complexities of Ukrainian-Polish relations and how history is being addressed in the midst of Russia's invasion;

Link: https://unherd.com/2023/07/can-poland-ever-forgive-ukraine/

 

Yes. Welcome to Easern Europe where nothing is ever forgotten or forgiven. Somehow Western Europe managed to move on from two world wars but the East remains as it has always been.

I'm sure that's a big over generalization. Still.

 

Well, the article appears to be suggesting that the countries are moving on...I certainly see that process unfolding. It remains to be seen whether the course will continue. As for the West's wonderful ability to "move on from Two World Wars" as opposed to "the East" (whatever that means as Poland is part of the West), I see things differently. The ability to "forgive and forget" doesn't appear to apply to American slavery and many other historical events. Western countries have not really moved on now, have they? On the contrary, history is alive and well with Black Lives Matter (regardless of how one evaluates it in ideological terms) and many other movements with a very strong historical component and the focus on righting historical wrongs. So, I wouldn't be so smug.

 

True.

 

tadj makes an excellent point but looking just at world war 2, Germany and Japan are now two of our strongest allies. That probably has more to do with the actions that the USA took soon after the war ended. There was a US policy of peace and forgiveness rather than one of punishment and reparations.

 

Because that really didn't work after WWI.

 

And this became the basis of the comedy film: “The Mouse that Roared.”

 

"Rather than form nations that looked ever backward into history with a dangerous nostalgia, we chose to look forward to a greatness none of our many nations and peoples had ever known," Kimani said."
Words of Kenian embasador to the UN related to war in Ukraine and comparison to African past colonialism.

I think Poland should leave the past in the past and view the new Ukraine as valuable partner and EU member state in the future.
I thunk we see Poland as one of the friendly neighbors who are helping Ukrraine.

 

It’s a strange love of movies that appreciates this.