Polish-Ukrainian inter-Ethnic Understanding and Reconciliation Through Presidents Relationships (1991 – 2010)

Abstract

The article analyzed long and difficult process of Polish-Ukrainian understanding and reconciliation through influence of the Presidents of the Republic of Poland and Ukraine. Major focus on interpersonal meetings of the Presidents, which repeatedly separate issue stood out for interethnic reconciliation of poles and Ukrainians. Practical implementation of this course was to create a unified strategy for Poland and Ukraine signed a joint presidential statements and addresses, as well as open Polish-Ukrainian memorial places unity. Lech Walesa and Leonid Kravchuk began the process of dispelling stereotypes and the beginning of the good-neighborly partnership. However, the greatest contribution to inter-ethnic harmony and reconciliation was made by the Presidents Kwasniewski and Leonid Kuchma, the cadence of which almost coincide in time. A significant number of interpersonal meetings between the Presidents is an example of a willingness to take the initiative and responsibility to be constructive in the resolution of complex problems inherited from the long shared history of Poland and Ukraine. Lech Kaczynski and Victor Yushchenko continued the chosen course predecessors, opening a joint monuments, thus honoring the memory of the innocent killed and tortured poles and Ukrainians

Keywords: Poland, Ukraine, President, understanding, reconciliation, inter-state relations