Last Wednesday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk met Russian Federation Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin during the commemoration of the Katyn massacre anniversary. Katyn is a symbol of terror and crimes of the Stalinism on the Polish army officers and intellectuals, arrested in 1939, following the Soviet Union invasion of Poland. One could say that the presence of Vladimir Putin was not unusual - Ukrainian soil in Kharkiv buries similar mass murder graves, yet Ukrainian leaders have never had a problem to attend comparable commemorations. One has to bear in mind that there is a similar place of remembrance in Kharkiv, where Poles had been assassinated in a similar manner. Why then Wednesday’s event was so important?
The Russian society is trying to define its attitude towards history of the Soviet Union and also towards a person who is undoubtedly linked to this history — Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin. The most widely spread opinion in this regard refers to Stalin’s victory over Hitler. Also, Stalin is an icon of a thorough cooperation with the Allies during World War II, building the Soviet Union’s strength, its industrialisation, science and cultural development at the same time. Russians intuitively reject things by which the nature of that system was defined: massive repressions, crimes. They reject the simple truth that they were the biggest victims of the Soviet Union and its totalitarian regime.
Today, while watching TV transmission of the commemoration in Katyn, the Russians have a chance, maybe for the first time, for a real and profound soul searching reflection on their own tragic history. A reflection on how to condemn the crime done by former leaders without denying dignity. In the past, Russian politicians have said repetitively that Poland is Russophobe. I would not agree with that position; although one can come across some Russophobes in Poland, too. However, Poles would like to agree with Russians — like gentlemen do — to name the most obvious facts in simplest manner possible. If a crime against Poles was committed, it needs to be called a crime; and if a noble cooperation occurred, we have to remember to name it this way. The truth is a foundation for conciliation. The latter is needed to think about common future, while having a thorough look into one another’s eyes. Poles have built memorials in Katyn, Kharkiv, Mednoe. We start to hear that other nations also consider honouring their victims in a similar way. This is a good sign. A common reflection while standing at a cemetery is a good and a convenient moment to reconcile over a place burring tears, blood and suffering. Those nations who did more harm to each other than Poles and Russians know it the best. We should learn from them!
Destiny has written an unexpected and tragic follow-up to the above comment. Last Saturday the Polish Air Force One has crashed in Smolensk, next to the field of the Katyn massacres. The President of Poland, Lech Kaczynski, the First Lady, and dozens of officials and representatives of the families of the Katyn victims were killed that day. Some say that this place brings bad luck for Poland and its citizens. On the other hand, this situation has brought from all over the world millions of signs of solidarity and sympathy with the Polish people. I want to thank all the Ukrainian friends who are united with the Polish nation during these days.
