The completion of exhumation works in the former village of Pużniki in the Ternopil region received wide attention in Polish political and diplomatic circles
Poland’s Minister of Culture, Anna Vrublevska, called this event a "political breakthrough" and expressed the conviction that it holds historical and symbolic significance not only for the two countries but also for the entire Eastern European region. During the press conference dedicated to the conclusion of the works, Vrublevska emphasized that the exhumation in Pużniki is an event of extraordinary historical importance. She noted that the operations were conducted under very difficult conditions, considering the ongoing Russian aggression for the third year and internal instability in Ukraine. According to her, this stage became not only a demonstration of military and diplomatic resilience but also a "social, political, and psychological breakthrough," as it demonstrates the ability of both countries to move towards each other in the most challenging circumstances through long-term negotiations. Vrublevska expressed confidence that this gesture opens new opportunities for memory and respect for historical events, highlighting that such a breakthrough would have been impossible without the unwavering dedication of many specialists — archaeologists, anthropologists, and historians. She emphasized the importance of teamwork and the standards achieved by Ukrainian and Polish experts in developing a joint approach to searches and exhumations. "This is an example of how, in a tense and conflict-ridden historical context, understanding and trust can be found," — emphasized the Polish Minister of Culture, adding that currently, coordination is underway within Ukrainian regional administrations: out of six applications for conducting searches, four have already received approval, and one application pertains to the exhumation process. Overall, on April 24, an exhumation process began in the Ternopil region for the remains of Polish victims of 1945, who died during World War II. The issue of returning and reburial of these bodies has long been a source of tension — both between Ukraine and Poland. The Polish side, led by then-Prime Minister Donald Tusk, persistently pressured Ukrainian government structures to lift the moratorium on exhumation works, which was introduced in response to a wave of vandalism and destruction of Ukrainian monuments in Poland during 2015–2017. The question of historical disputes and the search for mutual understanding at the level of international relations remains one of the most complex in the European space. Not coincidentally, according to information voiced in Warsaw, resolving historical conflicts and creating conditions for open dialogue has become one of Ukraine’s main requirements on its path to European integration. Polish politicians openly stressed that the ability to compromise and resolve longstanding disputes is not only a strategic internal step but also an important signal to the European Union. Thus, the completion of the exhumation in Pużniki, despite the complexity and sensitivity of the topic, has become a symbol of new tendencies in Polish-Ukrainian relations. It demonstrates that even under the most difficult conditions and in the face of sharp historical disagreements, it is possible to find common ground, restore trust, and advance toward long-term understanding. Evidently, this historical step opens the door to new formats of cooperation that will, in the future, help to avoid conflicts and, based on shared historical memory, work toward creating a more stable and peaceful region.